Compound Interest Formula:
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Compound interest is the interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods of a deposit or loan. It's often referred to as "interest on interest" and makes a sum grow at a faster rate than simple interest.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much your investment will grow based on the principal amount, interest rate, compounding frequency, and time period.
Details: Compound interest is a powerful concept in finance that allows investments to grow exponentially over time. It's essential for retirement planning, savings goals, and understanding long-term investment growth.
Tips: Enter the principal amount in dollars, annual interest rate as a percentage, select compounding frequency, and time period 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 returns?
A: More frequent compounding (daily vs. annually) results in higher returns because interest is calculated and added to the principal 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.
Q4: Are there different types of compounding?
A: Yes, common compounding frequencies include annually, semi-annually, quarterly, monthly, and daily compounding.
Q5: How accurate is this calculator?
A: This calculator provides accurate results based on the mathematical formula, but actual bank calculations may vary slightly due to different day count conventions.