Compound Interest Formula:
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The compound interest formula calculates the future value of an investment or savings account where interest is compounded periodically. It shows 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 earned on both the principal and accumulated interest over multiple compounding periods.
Details: Understanding compound interest is crucial for financial planning, investment decisions, and retirement savings. It demonstrates how small, regular investments can grow significantly over time.
Tips: Enter the principal amount in currency, annual interest rate as a decimal (e.g., 0.05 for 5%), compounding frequency (how many times per year interest is compounded), 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 (higher n value) results in higher returns because interest is calculated and added more often.
Q3: What are typical compounding frequencies?
A: Common frequencies include annually (1), semi-annually (2), quarterly (4), monthly (12), and daily (365).
Q4: Can this calculator handle different currencies?
A: Yes, the calculator works with any currency as long as you maintain consistency in the principal and result interpretation.
Q5: Is this formula used for loans as well?
A: Yes, the same compound interest formula is used to calculate the total amount owed on loans where interest compounds.