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 can cause wealth to grow exponentially over time.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much an investment will grow over time when interest is compounded at regular intervals.
Details: Compound interest is a powerful concept in finance that allows investments to grow exponentially over time. It's the foundation of long-term wealth building and retirement planning.
Tips: Enter the principal amount, annual interest rate, time period in years, and select the compounding frequency. 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 final amount?
A: The more frequently interest is compounded, the higher the final amount will be, as interest is earned on interest more often.
Q3: What is the rule of 72?
A: The rule of 72 is a simple way to estimate how long an investment will take to double: 72 divided by the annual interest rate.
Q4: Can compound interest work against me?
A: Yes, when borrowing money, compound interest can cause debt to grow rapidly if not managed properly.
Q5: Is compound interest taxed?
A: In most jurisdictions, interest earned through investments is subject to taxation, which can affect the net return.