Simple interest is the value of money over a given period of time. Interest is a mathematical calculation of the cost of borrowing money or the value gained from borrowing money. Simple interest is most commonly used for loans and investments.
Simple interest calculation uses three elements: principle, interest rate, and time period. The principle is the total amount of money borrowed or invested. The interest rate is the percentage rate used to calculate the interest amount. The time period is the same as the repayment period. The longer the loan, the more it will cost in interest.
The formula for calculating simple interest is I = PRT. In this formula, "P" is the principal amount of the loan, "R" is the interest rate, expressed as a percentage value, and "T" is the number of periods in time. If time is given in days, just create a fraction with the number of days as the numerator and 365 as the denominator.
Interest calculations are used for three reasons: to assess the cost of financing, to determine the amount owed, and to calculate the interest rate payment on an investment. When comparing two funding sources, it is important to verify that you are comparing the same details. Make sure the periods and term length are the same.
Enter the total amount borrowed, as well as the rate and term length. Then calculate the interest rate and the amount of interest payable. Many states require all finance companies to provide this exact information when receiving a loan of any kind. If the loan is open, the borrower can pay the principle to be paid in advance without penalty. This is the best way to reduce the cost of a loan.
When comparing investment opportunities, read the prospectus carefully to determine how interest will be calculated and when it will be paid. Bonds, investment certificates and treasury bills typically pay simple interest. The rate is based on a number of factors, including the bank's standard interest rate, inflation, and alternative investment opportunities.
Investments in stocks, mutual funds or other items do not pay interest. Instead, these investments make money by increasing the price during the time period between when the stock was bought and when you want to sell it. Some investments pay dividends, which is a portion of the company's profit distributed to shareholders. The amount and frequency of dividend payments depend on company performance and other factors.