Work out the difference between Simple Interest and Compound Interest for one year at an 8% annual interest rate on ₹5,000.

Points to Remember:

  • Simple Interest (SI) calculates interest only on the principal amount.
  • Compound Interest (CI) calculates interest on the principal amount plus accumulated interest.
  • The difference between CI and SI becomes more significant over longer periods.

Introduction:

Interest is the cost of borrowing money or the return on an investment. There are two primary methods for calculating interest: Simple Interest (SI) and Compound Interest (CI). Simple interest is calculated only on the principal amount, while compound interest is calculated on the principal amount plus any accumulated interest. This difference can lead to significant variations in the final amount, especially over longer time periods. This analysis will demonstrate the difference between SI and CI for a ₹5,000 investment at an 8% annual interest rate for one year.

Body:

1. Simple Interest Calculation:

Simple interest is calculated using the formula: SI = (P × R × T) / 100, where P is the principal amount, R is the interest rate, and T is the time period in years.

In this case:

  • P = ₹5,000
  • R = 8%
  • T = 1 year

Therefore, SI = (5000 × 8 × 1) / 100 = ₹400

2. Compound Interest Calculation:

Compound interest is calculated using the formula: A = P (1 + R/100)^T, where A is the final amount, P is the principal amount, R is the interest rate, and T is the time period in years. The compound interest (CI) is then calculated as A – P.

In this case:

  • P = ₹5,000
  • R = 8%
  • T = 1 year

Therefore, A = 5000 (1 + 8/100)^1 = 5000 × 1.08 = ₹5400

CI = A – P = ₹5400 – ₹5000 = ₹400

3. Difference between Simple Interest and Compound Interest:

For one year, the difference between simple interest and compound interest at 8% on ₹5000 is:

Difference = CI – SI = ₹400 – ₹400 = ₹0

4. Illustrative Table:

| Interest Type | Formula | Calculation | Amount (₹) |
|—————|———————-|——————-|————-|
| Simple Interest | (P × R × T) / 100 | (5000 × 8 × 1) / 100 | 400 |
| Compound Interest | P (1 + R/100)^T | 5000 (1 + 8/100)^1 | 5400 |

Conclusion:

In this specific scenario, where the investment period is only one year, the simple interest and compound interest earned on ₹5,000 at an 8% annual rate are identical, both amounting to ₹400. The difference between simple and compound interest only becomes apparent over multiple years as the interest earned in each subsequent year is added to the principal for the calculation of interest in the following year in the case of compound interest. While the difference is negligible for a single year, understanding the distinction between these two methods is crucial for long-term financial planning and investment decisions. For longer investment horizons, compound interest leads to significantly higher returns, highlighting the importance of understanding its mechanics for maximizing financial growth. This understanding promotes responsible financial management and contributes to overall financial well-being.

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