Problem with interest equation, for those good at algebra

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by melbel, Jul 21, 2007.

  1. #1
    OK, I'm not doing this for homework or anything.. Just something I want to figure out.

    I have the formula for interest

    FV = PV(1+i) to the n power

    FV = future value
    PV = present value
    i = interest
    n = time

    On a present value of $1000 on 6% interest, I want to find out my interest after a year.

    The problem is that I need a different formula since we're trying to figure out the interest after a year if the payout is monthly. The problem is that the above formula shows only a single payout of interest after the whole period which is one year.

    Our work:
    FV = PV (1+i) to the nth power
    FV = 1000 (1 + 6%) to the 1st power
    FV = 1000 (1 + 0.06) to the 1st power
    FV = 1000 (1.06) to the 1st power
    FV = 1000 (1.06)
    FV = 1060


    But then that's after one interest payment at the end of the accrual period. So we tried to figure it out monthly but we have two problems. I can't figure solve the problem because of the power (0.08 approx) and I don't what I do after I figure out the monthly interest to figure out the whole years earnings after monthly accrual periods.

    New work:

    FV = PV (1 + i) to the nth power
    in this case n would equal 1/12 which represents one month which would be approx. 0.08 and can't figure out 1 + i to the 0.08th power....

    When this problem is solved I would just have the interest after one month and I need a problem that can give me accrual after one year on monthly interest payments.

    I think I might have to translate the yearly interest to a monthly interest rate and do the formula that way.
    What do you think?
    Thanks
    Melanie
     
    melbel, Jul 21, 2007 IP
  2. gr8liverpoolfan

    gr8liverpoolfan Notable Member

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    #2
    I may not be correct, but here is what I think.

    If your money is compounded monthly, take your n to be 12 ( assuming n for a year to be one)and divide your rate of interest by 12.
     
    gr8liverpoolfan, Jul 21, 2007 IP