| 
 
 
 
Question 1167429:  Kenneth ran into some money and decides to invest it for retirement. He has $75,000 to invest over 
40 years. Find the effective rates given: 
(a) 4.5% growth compounded monthly. 
(b) 4.45% growth compounded continuously. 
(c) Should Kenneth invest in option (a) or option (b)? Why? 
 Answer by Theo(13342)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! the present value of the investment is 75,000. 
the investment period is 40 years. 
the discrete compounding growth rate is 4.5% compounded monthly. 
the continuous compounding growth rate is 4.45% compounded continuously.
 
 
the formula for discrete compounding is f = p * (1 + r) ^ n
 
 
f is the future value 
p is the present value 
r is the interest rate per time period 
n is the number of time periods.
 
 
the formula for continuous compounding is f = p * e ^ (r * t)
 
 
f is the future value 
p is the present value 
r is the interest rate per time period 
t is the number of time periods.
 
 
when your initial investment is 75,000 and your time period is 40 years, your future value will be calculated as follows:
 
 
with discrete monthly compounding, you get:
 
 
f = 75000 * (1 + .045/12) ^ (40 * 12) = 452198.6287.
 
 
with continuous compounding, you get:
 
 
f = 75000 * e ^ (.0445 * 40) = 444739.2314
 
 
4.5% compounded monthly gives you more future value than 4.45% compounded continuously.
 
 
if you look at the effective annual rates, you will see why this occurs.
 
 
with discrete compounding, the effective annual growth factor becomes:
 
 
f = (1 + .045/12) ^ 12 = 1.045939825.
 
 
with continuous compounding, the effective annual growth factor becomes: 
f = e ^ (.0445) = 1.045504977.
 
 
with discrete compounding, 75,000 * 1.045939825 ^ 40 = 452198.6287
 
 
with continuous compounding, 75,000 * 1.045504977 = 444739.2314
 
 
the effective annual growth rate tells you which will give you a greater future value.
 
 
the answers to your questions are:
 
 
(a) 4.5% growth compounded monthly.
 
 
effective annual growth rate is .045939825 or 4.5939825%
 
 
(b) 4.45% growth compounded continuously.
 
 
effective annual growth rate is .045504977 or 4.5504977%
 
 
(c) Should Kenneth invest in option (a) or option (b)? Why?
 
 
invest in option a because the effective annual interest rate is higher.
 
 
 
  | 
 
  
 
 |   
 
 |   
 |  |