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Coolmath Algebra
Exponentials & Logarithms Lesson 4 - Continuous Compound Interest  (page 1 of 2)
---- This algebra lesson explains how continuous compound interest works and where the formula comes from

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So, we learned that the more times we compound, the more money we make...  What if we could compound continuously?

Let's figure out how the formula for this would work:

We'll invest $1.00 at 100% interest for one year and we'll keep increasing the compounding and see what happens.

       A quick example, so you can follow this:

$1.00 compounded quarterly at
100%
interest for 1 year...

initial amount = $1

split factor = 1.25

number of splits = 4

final amount = 1 * ( 1.25 )^( 4 ) = approximately $2.4414... ... we can leave off the 1

 


TRY IT:

Do the same for compounded monthly.


Let's make a table:

TIMES COMPOUNDED     AMOUNT
annually     $2
semi-annually     $2.25
quarterly   $2.4414062...
monthly   $2.6130352...
100 times   $2.7048138...
1000 times   $2.7169239...
10,000   $2.7181459...
100,000   $2.718268...
1,000,000   $2.7182804...

Look at what's happening here.  arrow

Not changing very much anymore, are they?

In fact, they are getting closer and closer to a very special number

e = approximately 2.7182818

It's an irrational number like pi.  It goes on forever and ever and never repeats.

We won't be able to use the split factor for continuous compounding, BUT we WILL be able to use this e guy...  and he came from the split factor!

Continued on the next page

 The printing and distribution and/or downloading of these lessons is strictly prohibited.

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