Compound Interest Formula:
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The compound interest formula calculates the future value of an investment or loan based on principal amount, interest rate, compounding frequency, and time period. It demonstrates how money grows over time through the power of compounding.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how an initial investment grows when interest is compounded at regular intervals over time.
Details: Understanding compound interest is crucial for financial planning, investment decisions, loan calculations, and retirement planning. It shows how small, regular investments can grow significantly over time.
Tips: Enter principal amount in currency units, annual interest rate as a decimal (e.g., 0.05 for 5%), compounding frequency (times per year), and time in years. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What's the difference between simple and compound interest?
A: Simple interest is calculated only on the principal amount, while compound interest is calculated on both the principal and accumulated interest.
Q2: How does compounding frequency affect the result?
A: More frequent compounding (daily vs. annually) results in higher returns due to interest being calculated and added more often.
Q3: What is the rule of 72?
A: A quick way to estimate how long it takes for an investment to double: divide 72 by the annual interest rate percentage.
Q4: Can this calculator be used for loans?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to calculating the future value of loans with compound interest.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation for real-world investments?
A: While the formula is mathematically precise, real-world results may vary due to changing interest rates, fees, taxes, and other factors.