Find the amount and compound interest on $40,000 for 2 years at 2% per annum.
We are tasked with calculating the final amount and the compound interest for an initial principal of \(\$40,000\) invested over \(2\) years at an annual interest rate of \(2\%\), compounded annually. Here, the principal \(P = 40,000\), the annual interest rate \(r = 2\% = 0.02\), and the time \(n = 2\) years.
The formula for the total amount \(A\) after \(n\) years with annual compounding is:
\[A = P(1 + r)^n\]
Substituting our known values:
\[A = 40,000(1 + 0.02)^2 = 40,000(1.02)^2\]
First, we calculate \(1.02^2\):
\[1.02 \times 1.02 = 1.0404\]
Then, we find the total amount:
\[A = 40,000 \times 1.0404 = 41,616\]
So, the total amount after \(2\) years is \(\$41,616\).
The compound interest \(CI\) is the difference between the total amount \(A\) and the original principal \(P\):
\[CI = A - P\]
Substituting the values:
\[CI = 41,616 - 40,000 = 1,616\]
Therefore, the compound interest earned after \(2\) years is \(\$1,616\).
Compound interest is a fundamental concept in finance used to understand how savings grow over time. For example, if you deposit money into a savings account that pays compound interest, your earnings each year are added to the principal, meaning that in the following year, you earn interest on both your original deposit and the interest you already earned. This "interest on interest" effect can significantly increase the total return on your investments over long periods, demonstrating the power of time in wealth accumulation.