In this example:

• r = 0.06 (6%)
• k = 12 (12 compounds/deposits per year)
• d = $100 (our deposit per month)

Writing out the recursive equation gives

[latex]{{P}_{m}}=\left(1+\frac{0.06}{12}\right){{P}_{m-1}}+100=\left(1.005\right){{P}_{m-1}}+100[/latex]

Assuming we start with an empty account, we can begin using this relationship:

[latex]P_0=0[/latex]

[latex]P_1=(1.005)P_0+100=100[/latex]

[latex]P_2=(1.005)P_1+100=(1.005)(100)+100=100(1.005)+100[/latex]

[latex]P_3=(1.005)P_2+100=(1.005)(100(1.005)+100)+100=100(1.005)^2+100(1.005)+100[/latex]

Continuing this pattern, after m deposits, we’d have saved:

[latex]P_m=100(1.005)^{m-1}+100(1.005)^{m-2} +L+100(1.005)+100[/latex]

In other words, after m months, the first deposit will have earned compound interest for m-1 months. The second deposit will have earned interest for m­-2 months. The last month’s deposit (L) would have earned only one month’s worth of interest. The most recent deposit will have earned no interest yet.

This equation leaves a lot to be desired, though – it doesn’t make calculating the ending balance any easier! To simplify things, multiply both sides of the equation by 1.005:

[latex]1.005{{P}_{m}}=1.005\left(100{{\left(1.005\right)}^{m-1}}+100{{\left(1.005\right)}^{m-2}}+\cdots+100(1.005)+100\right)[/latex]

Distributing on the right side of the equation gives

[latex]1.005{{P}_{m}}=100{{\left(1.005\right)}^{m}}+100{{\left(1.005\right)}^{m-1}}+\cdots+100{{(1.005)}^{2}}+100(1.005)[/latex]

Now we’ll line this up with like terms from our original equation, and subtract each side

[latex]\begin{align}&\begin{matrix}1.005{{P}_{m}}&=&100{{\left(1.005\right)}^{m}}+&100{{\left(1.005\right)}^{m-1}}+\cdots+&100(1.005)&{}\\{{P}_{m}}&=&{}&100{{\left(1.005\right)}^{m-1}}+\cdots+&100(1.005)&+100\\\end{matrix}\\&\\\end{align}[/latex]

Almost all the terms cancel on the right hand side when we subtract, leaving

[latex]1.005{{P}_{m}}-{{P}_{m}}=100{{\left(1.005\right)}^{m}}-100[/latex]

Factor [latex]P_m[/latex] out of the terms on the left side.

[latex]\begin{array}{c}P_m(1.005-1)=100{{\left(1.005\right)}^{m}}-100\\(0.005)P_m=100{{\left(1.005\right)}^{m}}-100\end{array}[/latex]

Solve for P_m

[latex]\begin{align}&0.005{{P}_{m}}=100\left({{\left(1.005\right)}^{m}}-1\right)\\&\\&{{P}_{m}}=\frac{100\left({{\left(1.005\right)}^{m}}-1\right)}{0.005}\\\end{align}[/latex]

Replacing m months with 12N, where N is measured in years, gives

[latex]{{P}_{N}}=\frac{100\left({{\left(1.005\right)}^{12N}}-1\right)}{0.005}[/latex]

Recall 0.005 was r/k and 100 was the deposit d. 12 was k, the number of deposit each year.

In this example,

Putting this into the equation:

[latex]\begin{align}&{{P}_{20}}=\frac{100\left({{\left(1+\frac{0.06}{12}\right)}^{20(12)}}-1\right)}{\left(\frac{0.06}{12}\right)}\\&{{P}_{20}}=\frac{100\left({{\left(1.005\right)}^{240}}-1\right)}{\left(0.005\right)}\\&{{P}_{20}}=\frac{100\left(3.310-1\right)}{\left(0.005\right)}\\&{{P}_{20}}=\frac{100\left(2.310\right)}{\left(0.005\right)}=\$46200 \\\end{align}[/latex]

The account will grow to $46,200 after 20 years.

Notice that you deposited into the account a total of $24,000 ($100 a month for 240 months). The difference between what you end up with and how much you put in is the interest earned. In this case it is $46,200 – $24,000 = $22,200.

This is a savings annuity problem since we are making regular deposits into the account.

We don’t know N, but we want P_N to be $10,000.

Putting this into the equation:

[latex]10,000=\frac{100\left({{\left(1+\frac{0.03}{12}\right)}^{N(12)}}-1\right)}{\left(\frac{0.03}{12}\right)}[/latex]                        Simplifying the fractions a bit

[latex]10,000=\frac{100\left({{\left(1.0025\right)}^{12N}}-1\right)}{0.0025}[/latex]

We want to isolate the exponential term, 1.002512N, so multiply both sides by 0.0025

[latex]25=100\left({{\left(1.0025\right)}^{12N}}-1\right)[/latex]                             Divide both sides by 100

[latex]0.25={{\left(1.0025\right)}^{12N}}-1[/latex]                                     Add 1 to both sides

[latex]1.25={{\left(1.0025\right)}^{12N}}[/latex]                                        Now take the log of both sides

[latex]\log\left(1.25\right)=\log\left({{\left(1.0025\right)}^{12N}}\right)[/latex]                              Use the exponent property of logs

[latex]\log\left(1.25\right)=12N\log\left(1.0025\right)[/latex]                          Divide by 12log(1.0025)

[latex]\frac{\log\left(1.25\right)}{12\log\left(1.0025\right)}=N[/latex]                                               Approximating to a decimal

N = 7.447 years

It will take about 7.447 years to grow the account to $10,000.

In this example,

We’re looking for P_0: how much money needs to be in the account at the beginning.

Putting this into the equation:

[latex]\begin{align}&{{P}_{0}}=\frac{1000\left(1-{{\left(1+\frac{0.06}{12}\right)}^{-20(12)}}\right)}{\left(\frac{0.06}{12}\right)}\\&{{P}_{0}}=\frac{1000\times\left(1-{{\left(1.005\right)}^{-240}}\right)}{\left(0.005\right)}\\&{{P}_{0}}=\frac{1000\times\left(1-0.302\right)}{\left(0.005\right)}=\$139,600 \\\end{align}[/latex]

You will need to have $139,600 in your account when you retire.

Notice that you withdrew a total of $240,000 ($1000 a month for 240 months). The difference between what you pulled out and what you started with is the interest earned. In this case it is $240,000 – $139,600 = $100,400 in interest.

In this example, we’re looking for d.

In this case, we’re going to have to set up the equation, and solve for d.

[latex]\begin{align}&500,000=\frac{d\left(1-{{\left(1+\frac{0.08}{12}\right)}^{-30(12)}}\right)}{\left(\frac{0.08}{12}\right)}\\&500,000=\frac{d\left(1-{{\left(1.00667\right)}^{-360}}\right)}{\left(0.00667\right)}\\&500,000=d(136.232)\\&d=\frac{500,000}{136.232}=\$3670.21 \\\end{align}[/latex]

You would be able to withdraw $3,670.21 each month for 30 years.

In this example,

We’re looking for P₀, the starting amount of the loan.

[latex]\begin{align}&{{P}_{0}}=\frac{200\left(1-{{\left(1+\frac{0.03}{12}\right)}^{-5(12)}}\right)}{\left(\frac{0.03}{12}\right)}\\&{{P}_{0}}=\frac{200\left(1-{{\left(1.0025\right)}^{-60}}\right)}{\left(0.0025\right)}\\&{{P}_{0}}=\frac{200\left(1-0.861\right)}{\left(0.0025\right)}=\$11,120 \\\end{align}[/latex]

You can afford a $11,120 loan.

You will pay a total of $12,000 ($200 per month for 60 months) to the loan company. The difference between the amount you pay and the amount of the loan is the interest paid. In this case, you’re paying $12,000-$11,120 = $880 interest total.

In this example, we’re looking for d.

In this case, we’re going to have to set up the equation, and solve for d.

[latex]\begin{align}&140,000=\frac{d\left(1-{{\left(1+\frac{0.06}{12}\right)}^{-30(12)}}\right)}{\left(\frac{0.06}{12}\right)}\\&140,000=\frac{d\left(1-{{\left(1.005\right)}^{-360}}\right)}{\left(0.005\right)}\\&140,000=d(166.792)\\&d=\frac{140,000}{166.792}=\$839.37 \\\end{align}[/latex]

You will make payments of $839.37 per month for 30 years.

You’re paying a total of $302,173.20 to the loan company: $839.37 per month for 360 months. You are paying a total of $302,173.20 – $140,000 = $162,173.20 in interest over the life of the loan.

To determine this, we are looking for the amount of the loan that can be paid off by $1,000 a month payments in 10 years. In other words, we’re looking for P₀ when

[latex]\begin{align}&{{P}_{0}}=\frac{1000\left(1-{{\left(1+\frac{0.06}{12}\right)}^{-10(12)}}\right)}{\left(\frac{0.06}{12}\right)}\\&{{P}_{0}}=\frac{1000\left(1-{{\left(1.005\right)}^{-120}}\right)}{\left(0.005\right)}\\&{{P}_{0}}=\frac{1000\left(1-0.5496\right)}{\left(0.005\right)}=\$90,073.45 \\\end{align}[/latex]

The loan balance with 10 years remaining on the loan will be $90,073.45.

First we will calculate their monthly payments.

We’re looking for d.

We set up the equation and solve for d.

[latex]\begin{align}&180,000=\frac{d\left(1-{{\left(1+\frac{0.04}{12}\right)}^{-30(12)}}\right)}{\left(\frac{0.04}{12}\right)}\\&180,000=\frac{d\left(1-{{\left(1.00333\right)}^{-360}}\right)}{\left(0.00333\right)}\\&180,000=d(209.562)\\&d=\frac{180,000}{209.562}=\$858.93 \\\end{align}[/latex]

Now that we know the monthly payments, we can determine the remaining balance. We want the remaining balance after 5 years, when 25 years will be remaining on the loan, so we calculate the loan balance that will be paid off with the monthly payments over those 25 years.

[latex]\begin{align}&{{P}_{0}}=\frac{858.93\left(1-{{\left(1+\frac{0.04}{12}\right)}^{-25(12)}}\right)}{\left(\frac{0.04}{12}\right)}\\&{{P}_{0}}=\frac{858.93\left(1-{{\left(1.00333\right)}^{-300}}\right)}{\left(0.00333\right)}\\&{{P}_{0}}=\frac{858.93\left(1-0.369\right)}{\left(0.00333\right)}=\$162,794.53 \\\end{align}[/latex]

The loan balance after 5 years, with 25 years remaining on the loan, will be $162,794.53.

Over that 5 years, the couple has paid off $180,000 – $162,794.53 = $17,205.47 of the loan balance. They have paid a total of $858.93 a month for 5 years (60 months), for a total of $51,535.80, so $51,535.80 – $17,205.47 = $34,330.33 of what they have paid so far has been interest.