Homeschool · Diploma track · Grades 11-12

Financial Algebra

A full year of Financial Algebra, built to be the student's whole course in personal finance rather than a supplement to one. The algebra in this subject is mostly percentages and exponential growth, and it is not the hard part. The hard part is the setup: which number is the principal, whether a rate is annual or monthly, which percent is taken of what, and what the question is really asking for. Eleven units take the year from a first paycheck through income tax, budgeting and banking, simple and compound interest, saving over decades, credit cards and loans, cars and housing, insurance, and investing, and end by assembling a complete plan. Every number in every solution is named before it is used, every solution is worked line by line, and every answer is checked against what a sensible person would expect.

DIPLOMA TRACK PERSONAL FINANCE EITHER PATHWAY MODEL ANSWERS 75 LESSONS 880 PRACTICE PROBLEMS Algebra 1 or Integrated Mathematics 1. This is a complete course in personal finance and does not assume other instruction in the subject.

Course overview

What this year covers

Financial Algebra is the rare math course whose problems describe decisions a student will actually make, and most of those decisions are made once, early, with little practice. The eleven units follow the order in which money arrives and leaves. Unit 1 follows a paycheck from the hours worked to the amount deposited, Unit 2 explains the income tax taken from it, and Unit 3 turns what remains into a budget and a bank account. Units 4 and 5 are the mathematical heart of the course: simple and compound interest, then regular saving and the time value of money, where a single idea (money grows in steps, and each step grows on the last) explains savings, loans and retirement at once. Units 6 and 7 run the same idea in reverse for credit cards and loans. Unit 8 prices the two largest purchases most people make, a car and a home. Unit 9 measures risk and what insurance costs, Unit 10 turns to investing, and Unit 11 gathers everything into net worth, cash flow and a complete plan. Every lesson opens with the method, names the specific error that costs the marks, works an example in full, and then gives ten practice problems with complete solutions. Tax rates and brackets used here are teaching figures, stated as such in each problem, and are not current tax advice.

  • U1Unit 1: Earning and Paychecks7 lessons
  • U2Unit 2: Income Taxes7 lessons
  • U3Unit 3: Budgeting and Banking6 lessons
  • U4Unit 4: Simple and Compound Interest7 lessons
  • U5Unit 5: Saving and the Time Value of Money7 lessons
  • U6Unit 6: Credit Cards7 lessons
  • U7Unit 7: Loans7 lessons
  • U8Unit 8: Cars and Housing8 lessons
  • U9Unit 9: Insurance and Risk6 lessons
  • U10Unit 10: Investing7 lessons
  • U11Unit 11: Planning as a Whole6 lessons

All eleven units are open, 75 lessons in all. Every lesson opens with the method, one extended worked example, and ten practice problems. Every problem has a full worked solution, so you can find the step where yours went wrong. Each unit closes with a ten-problem mixed review.

Free preview: open any 5 lessons without an account. The counter on the left keeps track.

Lesson 1.1 · Unit 1 · N-Q.1-3

What you earn for the hours you work

Most first jobs pay by the hour, and the arithmetic looks too easy to need a lesson. It is not the multiplication that goes wrong. It is overtime, which applies to some hours and not others, and the number of pay periods in a year, which is not the same for every employer. Both of those change the answer, and both are set by rules rather than by arithmetic.

The method
  1. Gross pay is hours times rate. A worker paid \$15.50 an hour for 32 hours earns \( 15.50 \times 32 = 496.00 \) dollars before anything is taken out.
  2. Federal law requires overtime of one and a half times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. California adds its own daily rule. Every problem in this course states which rule applies and uses the weekly rule unless told otherwise.
  3. Overtime applies only to the extra hours. Pay is \( 40r + 1.5r(h - 40) \) for \( h \gt 40 \) hours at rate \( r \). The first 40 hours are paid at the regular rate.
  4. The pay period is how often you are paid. Weekly is 52 periods a year, biweekly 26, semimonthly 24 and monthly 12.
  5. Biweekly and semimonthly are different. Biweekly is every two weeks, which is 26 checks. Semimonthly is twice a month, which is 24 checks. A \$52,000 salary gives \$2,000.00 biweekly and \$2,166.67 semimonthly.
  6. Annual pay is pay per period times periods per year. From an hourly rate, a full-time year is \( r \times 40 \times 52 = 2080r \).
  7. The average hourly rate with overtime is total pay divided by total hours. It is always between the regular rate and one and a half times the regular rate.
  8. Estimate before you compute. Overtime pay for a week must exceed pay for 40 hours and stay below pay for all the hours at time and a half. If it does not, the setup is wrong.

Where students lose marks: the wrong base. Applying the 1.5 to every hour instead of only the hours over 40 makes the answer too large, and no amount of careful arithmetic afterward repairs it. Name which hours are regular and which are overtime before multiplying anything.

Worked example

The problem. A warehouse worker earns \$18.40 an hour and works 47 hours in a week. (a) Find the gross pay. (b) Find the average hourly rate for the week. (c) Find the biweekly pay if every week is the same. (d) Find the annual pay if every week is the same.

Step one: name the givens. The regular rate is \$18.40. Hours are 47, so 40 are regular and 7 are overtime. The overtime rate is \( 1.5 \times 18.40 \).

Step two: pay the regular hours. \( 40 \times 18.40 = 736.00 \).

Step three: pay the overtime hours. The overtime rate is \( 1.5 \times 18.40 = 27.60 \) dollars an hour, and \( 7 \times 27.60 = 193.20 \).

Step four: add for (a). Gross pay is \( 736.00 + 193.20 = 929.20 \) dollars. Estimate check: 40 hours alone is \$736.00 and all 47 hours at time and a half would be \$1,297.20, and \$929.20 sits between them.

Step five: average rate for (b). \( \dfrac{929.20}{47} = 19.77 \) dollars an hour. This is above the regular \$18.40 and below the overtime \$27.60, as it must be.

Step six: biweekly pay for (c). Two identical weeks give \( 2 \times 929.20 = 1{,}858.40 \).

Step seven: annual pay for (d). Fifty-two identical weeks give \( 52 \times 929.20 = 48{,}318.40 \).

Step eight: state the answers with their meaning. Gross weekly pay is \$929.20, the average rate is \$19.77 an hour, biweekly gross is \$1,858.40 and the annual gross is \$48,318.40. The annual figure assumes 47 hours every week, which a careful answer says, because few jobs offer overtime every week of the year.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A cashier earns \$15.50 an hour and works 32 hours. Find the gross pay.
    Show the full solution

    \( 15.50 \times 32 = 496.00 \). There is no overtime because 32 is under 40. \$496.00

  2. A worker earns \$22.25 an hour for exactly 40 hours. Find the gross pay.
    Show the full solution

    Forty hours is the limit, so none is overtime: \( 22.25 \times 40 = 890.00 \). \$890.00

  3. The regular rate is \$16.00 an hour. What is the overtime rate?
    Show the full solution

    \( 1.5 \times 16.00 = 24.00 \). \$24.00 an hour

  4. How many pay periods are there in a year when an employer pays biweekly?
    Show the full solution

    Fifty-two weeks divided into two-week periods gives \( 52 \div 2 = 26 \). 26

  5. A job pays \$21.50 an hour for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. Find the annual gross pay.
    Show the full solution

    A full-time year is \( 40 \times 52 = 2080 \) hours, and \( 21.50 \times 2080 = 44{,}720 \). \$44,720

  6. A stock clerk earns \$14.80 an hour and works 44 hours in one week. Find the gross pay.
    Show the full solution

    Regular: \( 40 \times 14.80 = 592.00 \). The overtime rate is \( 1.5 \times 14.80 = 22.20 \), and the 4 extra hours give \( 4 \times 22.20 = 88.80 \). Total \( 592.00 + 88.80 = 680.80 \). \$680.80

  7. A biweekly paycheck for a 40-hour week with no overtime is \$1,120.00 gross. Find the hourly rate.
    Show the full solution

    Two weeks of 40 hours is 80 hours, so the rate is \( \dfrac{1120}{80} = 14.00 \). \$14.00 an hour

  8. A worker earning \$19.00 an hour works 52 hours in a week. Find the gross pay and the average hourly rate.
    Show the full solution

    Regular: \( 40 \times 19.00 = 760.00 \). Overtime rate \( 28.50 \), for 12 hours: \( 12 \times 28.50 = 342.00 \). Gross \( 760.00 + 342.00 = 1{,}102.00 \). The average is \( \dfrac{1102}{52} = 21.19 \), between 19.00 and 28.50 as it must be. \$1,102.00; \$21.19 an hour

  9. An employee has a \$52,000 annual salary. Find the gross pay per check if paid biweekly and if paid semimonthly, and say why they differ.
    Show the full solution

    Biweekly: \( \dfrac{52000}{26} = 2000.00 \). Semimonthly: \( \dfrac{52000}{24} = 2166.67 \). The annual total is the same, but it is divided into 26 checks in one case and 24 in the other, so each semimonthly check is larger. \$2,000.00 biweekly; \$2,166.67 semimonthly

  10. A student works 50 hours at \$12.00 an hour and computes the gross pay as \( 50 \times 1.5 \times 12 = 900 \). Find the error and the correct pay.
    Show the full solution

    The student applied time and a half to all 50 hours. Only the 10 hours over 40 earn the premium. Regular: \( 40 \times 12 = 480 \). Overtime: \( 10 \times 18 = 180 \). Total \( 660 \). The wrong method overstated the pay by \$240. \$660.00

Lesson 1.2 · Unit 1 · N-Q.1-3

Pay that depends on what you produce

Not every job pays for time. A salary pays for a role, a commission pays for sales, piecework pays for units made and tips pay for service. To compare them, or to decide which a worker should prefer, every one has to be put onto the same footing: the same pay period and the same hours.

The method
  1. A salary is a fixed annual amount. Pay per period is the annual salary divided by the periods per year. The hourly equivalent, assuming 40 hours a week, is the salary divided by 2080.
  2. A straight commission is a rate times sales. A rate of 8 percent on \$12,500 of sales is \( 0.08 \times 12500 = 1000 \) dollars. Convert the percent to a decimal first.
  3. Base plus commission is a fixed amount plus a rate times sales.
  4. A graduated commission pays one rate on the first tier of sales and a higher rate only on the sales above it, like layers. The higher rate does not apply retroactively to the lower tier.
  5. Piecework pays a fixed amount for each unit completed. Pay is the rate per piece times the pieces.
  6. A tip is a percent of the bill. The tip is the rate times the pre-tip bill, and a server's hourly pay is wages plus tips, divided by hours.
  7. To compare two plans, put them on the same footing. Convert both to pay per month or per year, or to an hourly equivalent for the hours actually worked.
  8. The break-even point is the sales level at which two plans pay the same. Set the two pay formulas equal and solve for sales. Below it one plan wins; above it, the other.

Where students lose marks: the percent as a decimal. A commission of 6 percent is \( 0.06 \), not \( 0.6 \) and not \( 6 \). Entering 6 or 0.6 makes the commission ten or one hundred times too large, and the answer looks like a plausible amount of money until you compare it with the sales.

Worked example

The problem. A furniture salesperson is offered two plans for a month. Plan A is a salary of \$2,600. Plan B is a base of \$1,500 plus 6 percent of all sales. (a) Find Plan B's pay if the month's sales are \$18,500. (b) Find the sales at which the two plans pay the same. (c) Find the pay under a graduated plan that pays 3 percent on the first \$10,000 and 5 percent on sales above that, for the same \$18,500. (d) Find the hourly equivalent of Plan A's yearly pay.

Step one: name the givens. Plan A is \$2,600 a month. Plan B is \( 1500 + 0.06S \) for sales \( S \). Sales this month are \( S = 18500 \).

Step two: evaluate Plan B for (a). \( 1500 + 0.06 \times 18500 = 1500 + 1110 = 2610 \). Plan B pays \$2,610, which is \$10 more than Plan A this month.

Step three: set up the break-even for (b). The plans are equal when \( 1500 + 0.06S = 2600 \).

Step four: solve. \( 0.06S = 1100 \), so \( S = \dfrac{1100}{0.06} = 18{,}333.33 \). Check: \( 1500 + 0.06 \times 18333.33 = 2600 \).

Step five: interpret. Below about \$18,333 in monthly sales Plan A pays more, and above it Plan B pays more. This month's \$18,500 is just over, which matches step two. A salesperson who expects a slow month should prefer the salary.

Step six: graduated commission for (c). The first tier pays \( 0.03 \times 10000 = 300 \). The remaining \( 18500 - 10000 = 8500 \) is paid at 5 percent: \( 0.05 \times 8500 = 425 \). Total \( 300 + 425 = 725 \) dollars.

Step seven: hourly equivalent for (d). A year of Plan A is \( 2600 \times 12 = 31{,}200 \), and \( \dfrac{31200}{2080} = 15.00 \) dollars an hour at 40 hours a week.

Step eight: state the answers. Plan B pays \$2,610 this month. The plans break even at \$18,333.33 in sales. The graduated commission is \$725, and Plan A is worth \$15.00 an hour. Only the commission was computed in step six, so it cannot be compared with a salary until a base is added.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. An annual salary of \$43,200 is paid biweekly. Find the gross pay per check.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{43200}{26} = 1661.54 \), rounded to the cent at the end. \$1,661.54

  2. A salesperson earns 8 percent commission on \$12,500 of sales. Find the commission.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.08 \times 12500 = 1000 \). \$1,000.00

  3. A sewing worker is paid \$0.85 for each unit and finishes 640 units. Find the pay.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.85 \times 640 = 544.00 \). \$544.00

  4. A customer leaves an 18 percent tip on a pre-tip bill of \$64.50. Find the tip.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.18 \times 64.50 = 11.61 \). \$11.61

  5. Find the hourly equivalent of a \$62,400 salary for a 40-hour week.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{62400}{2080} = 30.00 \). \$30.00 an hour

  6. A salesperson earns a base of \$1,800 plus 4.5 percent of sales and sells \$27,000 in a month. Find the gross pay.
    Show the full solution

    Commission: \( 0.045 \times 27000 = 1215 \). Total \( 1800 + 1215 = 3015 \). \$3,015.00

  7. A graduated plan pays 2 percent on the first \$15,000 of sales and 5 percent on sales above that. Find the commission on \$38,000.
    Show the full solution

    First tier: \( 0.02 \times 15000 = 300 \). The rest is \( 38000 - 15000 = 23000 \), and \( 0.05 \times 23000 = 1150 \). Total \( 300 + 1150 = 1450 \). \$1,450.00

  8. A server earns \$16.00 an hour plus tips. In one week she works 30 hours and receives \$412 in tips. Find her average earnings per hour.
    Show the full solution

    Wages \( 16.00 \times 30 = 480 \). Total \( 480 + 412 = 892 \). Per hour \( \dfrac{892}{30} = 29.73 \). \$29.73 an hour

  9. Plan X pays \$2,000 plus 3 percent of sales. Plan Y pays \$1,200 plus 7 percent of sales. Find the sales at which they pay the same, and say which plan is better above that level.
    Show the full solution

    Set \( 2000 + 0.03S = 1200 + 0.07S \). Then \( 800 = 0.04S \), so \( S = 20000 \). Above \$20,000 the plan with the larger commission rate, Plan Y, earns more with each extra dollar and ends ahead. Below it, Plan X's higher base wins. \$20,000 in sales; Plan Y is better above it

  10. A student computes a 6 percent commission on \$3,000 of sales as \( 0.6 \times 3000 = 1800 \). Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    Six percent is \( 0.06 \), not \( 0.6 \). The correct commission is \( 0.06 \times 3000 = 180 \). The wrong answer is ten times too large, and a commission of \$1,800 on \$3,000 of sales would be 60 percent, which no employer pays. \$180.00

Lesson 1.3 · Unit 1 · N-Q.1-3

From the pay you earn to the pay you receive

The amount deposited in a bank account is almost never the amount earned. The difference is a list of deductions, some required by law and some chosen, and reading that list is a skill. It tells you where the money went and, more usefully, which deductions you control.

The method
  1. Net pay is gross pay minus all deductions. Gross is what was earned; net, or take-home, is what is deposited.
  2. Required deductions are federal income tax withholding, state income tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare and, in California, State Disability Insurance (SDI).
  3. Voluntary deductions are choices: a retirement contribution, a health insurance premium, a union due, a charitable gift.
  4. Pre-tax deductions reduce taxable wages. A 401(k) contribution and an employer health premium are taken out before income tax is figured, so income tax is computed on a smaller number.
  5. Payroll taxes treat them differently. A health premium under an employer plan is also exempt from Social Security and Medicare tax. A 401(k) contribution is not: it still pays those taxes.
  6. The year-to-date column (YTD) is the running total for the calendar year. It should equal the current amount times the number of checks so far, if nothing changed.
  7. The percent of gross that reaches you is net divided by gross times 100.
  8. Check the stub. Deductions plus net must equal gross. If they do not, a line was misread or misadded.

Where students lose marks: treating every deduction as coming off the same amount. Income tax is figured on wages after pre-tax deductions, and Social Security and Medicare on a different amount. Name the base for each line before you compute it.

Worked example

The problem. A biweekly check has gross pay of \$1,850.00. The worker contributes 5 percent to a 401(k) and pays \$48.00 for employer health insurance. In this problem federal withholding is 12 percent and state withholding 4 percent of taxable wages, Social Security is 6.2 percent and Medicare 1.45 percent, and SDI is 1.1 percent of gross. Find the net pay and the percent of gross received.

Step one: find the pre-tax deductions. The 401(k) is \( 0.05 \times 1850 = 92.50 \). The health premium is \$48.00.

Step two: find the income tax base. Both are pre-tax, so taxable wages are \( 1850.00 - 92.50 - 48.00 = 1709.50 \).

Step three: income tax withholding. Federal: \( 0.12 \times 1709.50 = 205.14 \). State: \( 0.04 \times 1709.50 = 68.38 \).

Step four: find the payroll tax base. The health premium is exempt but the 401(k) is not, so these taxes apply to \( 1850 - 48 = 1802 \).

Step five: payroll taxes and SDI. Social Security: \( 0.062 \times 1802 = 111.72 \). Medicare: \( 0.0145 \times 1802 = 26.13 \). SDI, on gross: \( 0.011 \times 1850 = 20.35 \).

Step six: total the deductions. \( 92.50 + 48.00 + 205.14 + 68.38 + 111.72 + 26.13 + 20.35 = 572.22 \).

Step seven: subtract for net pay. \( 1850.00 - 572.22 = 1277.78 \). Percent of gross received: \( \dfrac{1277.78}{1850} \times 100 = 69.07 \) percent.

Step eight: check and interpret. Net plus deductions is \( 1277.78 + 572.22 = 1850.00 \), which equals gross. About \$140.50 of the deductions are not taxes at all: the 401(k) contribution and the health premium are the worker's own choices, and the contribution is saving rather than spending.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Gross pay is \$2,100.00 and total deductions are \$540.00. Find the net pay.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2100 - 540 = 1560 \). \$1,560.00

  2. Name two deductions that are required by law and two that are voluntary.
    Show the full solution

    Required: any two of federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, Medicare and (in California) SDI. Voluntary: any two of a retirement contribution, health insurance premium, union dues and a charitable gift. See the lists

  3. A worker contributes 6 percent of a \$1,500.00 gross check to a 401(k). Find the contribution.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.06 \times 1500 = 90 \). \$90.00

  4. Net pay is \$1,200.00 on a gross of \$1,600.00. What percent of gross is received?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1200}{1600} \times 100 = 75 \). 75 percent

  5. A check is the ninth of the year, and the current Medicare deduction is \$24.00. What should the year-to-date Medicare column show if nothing has changed?
    Show the full solution

    \( 9 \times 24.00 = 216.00 \). \$216.00

  6. A check has gross pay of \$1,600.00 and a \$40.00 pre-tax health premium, with no other pre-tax deduction. Federal withholding is 10 percent of taxable wages. Find the federal withholding.
    Show the full solution

    Taxable wages are \( 1600 - 40 = 1560 \), and \( 0.10 \times 1560 = 156.00 \). \$156.00

  7. On the same check, find the Social Security tax at 6.2 percent, given that the health premium is exempt from payroll tax.
    Show the full solution

    The payroll tax base is \( 1600 - 40 = 1560 \), and \( 0.062 \times 1560 = 96.72 \). \$96.72

  8. Two workers each earn \$2,000.00 gross. One contributes 5 percent to a 401(k) and the other contributes nothing. Income tax withholding is 12 percent of taxable wages. How much less income tax is withheld from the contributor, and does her take-home fall by the full \$100 contribution?
    Show the full solution

    The contribution is \( 0.05 \times 2000 = 100 \). Her taxable wages are \$1,900, so her withholding is \( 0.12 \times 1900 = 228 \), against \( 0.12 \times 2000 = 240 \). That is \$12 less income tax. Her take-home therefore falls by \( 100 - 12 = 88 \) dollars rather than \$100, since the tax saving offsets part of the contribution. \$12 less tax; take-home falls by \$88

  9. A stub shows gross \$1,200.00, deductions of \$150.00, \$75.00, \$60.00 and \$40.00, and net pay of \$880.00. Decide whether the stub is consistent.
    Show the full solution

    Total deductions are \( 150 + 75 + 60 + 40 = 325 \). Then \( 1200 - 325 = 875 \), not 880. The stub is off by \$5, so a line was misprinted or misread. Deductions plus net must equal gross. Not consistent: off by \$5

  10. A student says, "My raise from \$1,400 to \$1,500 gross a check means I take home \$100 more." Explain the error.
    Show the full solution

    The extra \$100 of gross is also subject to income tax, Social Security, Medicare and SDI. If those total 25 percent of each additional dollar, the take-home rises by \( 100 \times 0.75 = 75 \) dollars. The raise is always worth less than its gross amount, but it is never negative. Take-home rises by less than \$100, about \$75 at 25 percent

Lesson 1.4 · Unit 1 · N-Q.3

The taxes taken from every dollar you earn

Income tax is paid on what remains after a standard amount is excluded, but payroll taxes are taken from the first dollar of wages. They fund Social Security and Medicare, they are paid by the employee and the employer in equal parts, and one of them stops at a ceiling while the other does not.

The method
  1. Social Security tax is 6.2 percent of wages paid by the employee, and the employer pays another 6.2 percent.
  2. Medicare tax is 1.45 percent of wages paid by the employee, and the employer pays another 1.45 percent.
  3. Together they are called FICA, for a combined 7.65 percent from each side, 15.3 percent in all.
  4. Social Security has a wage base: wages above a ceiling are not taxed for it. The ceiling changes every year. This course uses \$170,000 for all problems.
  5. Medicare has no ceiling. An additional 0.9 percent Medicare tax, paid by the employee only, applies to wages above \$200,000.
  6. The taxes begin with the first dollar. There is no standard deduction that shields low wages from them.
  7. The employer's cost of an employee is the wages plus the employer's half, so it exceeds the wages by 7.65 percent even before any benefits.
  8. In a year when wages cross the wage base, Social Security tax stops in the pay period where the total reaches the base, and that check is taxed only on the part of the wages below it.

Where students lose marks: applying the Social Security ceiling to Medicare. The ceiling applies only to the 6.2 percent tax. A high earner's Medicare tax keeps going on every dollar, and the highest earners pay more of it.

Worked example

The problem. An employee earns \$180,000 a year, paid monthly at \$15,000. The Social Security wage base is \$170,000. (a) Find the Social Security and Medicare tax in the first month. (b) Find the tax in the twelfth month. (c) Find the total employee FICA for the year. (d) Find the total the employer pays.

Step one: name the givens. Wages are \$15,000 a month. Social Security is 6.2 percent to a ceiling of \$170,000. Medicare is 1.45 percent with no ceiling.

Step two: first month for (a). Social Security: \( 0.062 \times 15000 = 930.00 \). Medicare: \( 0.0145 \times 15000 = 217.50 \).

Step three: find where the ceiling is reached. Eleven months of wages is \( 11 \times 15000 = 165000 \), which is under \$170,000. The twelfth month takes the total past the ceiling, so only \( 170000 - 165000 = 5000 \) of that month's wages is subject to Social Security.

Step four: twelfth month for (b). Social Security: \( 0.062 \times 5000 = 310.00 \). Medicare still applies to the whole \$15,000: \( 0.0145 \times 15000 = 217.50 \).

Step five: annual Social Security for (c). Over the whole year only the first \$170,000 is taxed: \( 0.062 \times 170000 = 10{,}540.00 \). Check: eleven months at \$930 is \$10,230, plus \$310, is \$10,540.

Step six: annual Medicare. \( 0.0145 \times 180000 = 2{,}610.00 \). The wages are below \$200,000, so there is no additional tax.

Step seven: employee total. \( 10540 + 2610 = 13{,}150.00 \). The employee's take-home is reduced by this, before income tax.

Step eight: employer total for (d). The employer pays an equal amount, \$13,150.00, so the employee's true cost to the employer is \( 180000 + 13150 = 193{,}150 \) dollars. The tax on the employee's paycheck is only half of the tax on the employee's work.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Use the \$170,000 Social Security wage base.

  1. Find the Social Security and Medicare tax on a \$2,000.00 paycheck.
    Show the full solution

    Social Security: \( 0.062 \times 2000 = 124.00 \). Medicare: \( 0.0145 \times 2000 = 29.00 \). \$124.00 and \$29.00

  2. Find the Social Security and Medicare tax on a \$1,640.00 paycheck.
    Show the full solution

    Social Security: \( 0.062 \times 1640 = 101.68 \). Medicare: \( 0.0145 \times 1640 = 23.78 \). \$101.68 and \$23.78

  3. Find the combined FICA tax from the employee on a \$3,200.00 check.
    Show the full solution

    The combined rate is \( 6.2 + 1.45 = 7.65 \) percent, and \( 0.0765 \times 3200 = 244.80 \). \$244.80

  4. An employee is paid \$60,000 a year. Find the employer's total cost for wages and the employer's half of FICA.
    Show the full solution

    The employer's half is \( 0.0765 \times 60000 = 4590 \). The total is \( 60000 + 4590 = 64590 \). \$64,590.00

  5. An employee earns \$120,000 in a year. Find the annual Social Security tax.
    Show the full solution

    The wages are below the \$170,000 base, so all of them are taxed: \( 0.062 \times 120000 = 7440 \). \$7,440.00

  6. A worker is paid \$2,400.00 a week. Find the Social Security and Medicare tax on one check.
    Show the full solution

    Social Security: \( 0.062 \times 2400 = 148.80 \). Medicare: \( 0.0145 \times 2400 = 34.80 \). \$148.80 and \$34.80

  7. A worker is paid \$3,400 a week. In which week does cumulative pay first reach the \$170,000 Social Security base?
    Show the full solution

    The number of checks needed is \( \dfrac{170000}{3400} = 50 \). Fifty checks total exactly \$170,000, so the ceiling is reached in week 50. Checks 51 and 52 pay no Social Security tax, and their Medicare tax continues. Week 50

  8. A single employee earns \$250,000. Find the annual Medicare tax including the additional 0.9 percent on wages over \$200,000.
    Show the full solution

    The basic tax is \( 0.0145 \times 250000 = 3625 \). The additional tax applies to \( 250000 - 200000 = 50000 \): \( 0.009 \times 50000 = 450 \). Total \( 3625 + 450 = 4075 \). \$4,075.00

  9. An employee earning \$190,000 a year says her Social Security tax is \( 0.062 \times 190000 = 11{,}780 \). Find the error and the correct tax, and find her Medicare tax.
    Show the full solution

    Only the first \$170,000 of wages is subject to Social Security. The correct tax is \( 0.062 \times 170000 = 10{,}540 \). Medicare has no ceiling: \( 0.0145 \times 190000 = 2{,}755 \). Her wages are below \$200,000, so there is no additional Medicare tax. \$10,540.00 Social Security; \$2,755.00 Medicare

  10. A student says, "My employer pays half of FICA, so it costs me nothing." Explain in terms of total compensation.
    Show the full solution

    The employer's half is part of what the employer spends to employ the worker, so the money could have been paid as wages. On a \$60,000 salary the employer's half is \$4,590. The employee does not see it on the pay stub, but the cost to hire is \$64,590, and the employee's compensation is effectively larger than the stub shows. The tax also buys the employee's future Social Security and Medicare benefits. It is a real cost of the job, even though it is not on the stub

Lesson 1.5 · Unit 1 · N-Q.1-3

How much more, and more than what

Every raise, price change and investment return is a percent change, and every percent change has a base. Most of the confusion in personal finance is a confusion about the base. This lesson fixes the rule once so that it does not need to be rediscovered in every unit that follows.

The method
  1. Percent change is the change divided by the original, times 100: \( \dfrac{\text{new} - \text{old}}{\text{old}} \times 100 \). The original is always the denominator.
  2. A positive result is an increase and a negative result is a decrease. From 40 to 46 the change is 6 and the percent change is 15 percent.
  3. To apply a percent change, multiply by one plus the rate. A 4 percent raise on \$52,000 is \( 52000 \times 1.04 = 54080 \). A 20 percent decrease multiplies by 0.80.
  4. To undo a percent change, divide by the same factor. The salary before a 4 percent raise to \$54,080 is \( \dfrac{54080}{1.04} = 52000 \).
  5. Successive changes multiply, they do not add. Raises of 3 percent and then 5 percent give \( 1.03 \times 1.05 = 1.0815 \), a total of 8.15 percent, not 8.
  6. An increase and the same percent decrease do not cancel. A 20 percent cut followed by a 20 percent raise leaves \( 0.80 \times 1.20 = 0.96 \) of the original, because the second percent is taken of a smaller amount.
  7. A percentage point is not a percent. From 5 percent to 7 percent is a rise of 2 percentage points and a 40 percent increase in the rate.
  8. Compare offers in the same period, in dollars first and percent second. A percent hides the size of the amount it is taken from.

Where students lose marks: dividing by the wrong number. The percent change from 40 to 46 is 6 divided by 40, not by 46. Dividing by the new value gives 13 percent instead of 15, and the error is worst exactly where the change is large.

Worked example

The problem. An analyst earns \$46,800. She is offered a 5 percent raise to stay, and she has another offer for \$49,400. (a) Find her salary after the raise. (b) Find the percent increase of the outside offer over her current pay. (c) After the 5 percent raise she receives a 3 percent raise the next year. Find her salary then and the total percent increase. (d) Explain why the total is not 8 percent.

Step one: name the givens. The current salary is \$46,800, which is the base for both comparisons. The raise is 5 percent. The outside offer is \$49,400.

Step two: the raise for (a). \( 46800 \times 1.05 = 49{,}140 \). Her salary becomes \$49,140.

Step three: the outside offer for (b). The change is \( 49400 - 46800 = 2600 \), and \( \dfrac{2600}{46800} \times 100 = 5.56 \) percent.

Step four: compare. The outside offer is \$260 a year higher than the raise (\$49,400 against \$49,140), which is a small difference once benefits and the move are considered.

Step five: the second raise for (c). The next raise is taken on the new salary: \( 49140 \times 1.03 = 50{,}614.20 \).

Step six: the total increase. \( \dfrac{50614.20 - 46800}{46800} \times 100 = 8.15 \) percent.

Step seven: explain for (d). The factors multiply: \( 1.05 \times 1.03 = 1.0815 \). The second raise is 3 percent of the larger salary, so it adds more than 3 percent of the original. The extra 0.15 percent is 3 percent of the first 5 percent.

Step eight: state the answers. After the raise, \$49,140. The outside offer is 5.56 percent higher than her current pay. After both raises, \$50,614.20, a total of 8.15 percent. A raise should be compared in dollars as well as percent, since 5 percent of a large salary is a bigger gift than 5 percent of a small one.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A salary of \$52,000 rises 4 percent. Find the new salary.
    Show the full solution

    \( 52000 \times 1.04 = 54080 \). \$54,080

  2. Find the percent change when an hourly wage goes from \$40 to \$46.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{46 - 40}{40} \times 100 = 15 \). 15 percent increase

  3. A price of \$100 is cut by 30 percent and then raised by 30 percent. Find the final price.
    Show the full solution

    \( 100 \times 0.70 = 70 \), then \( 70 \times 1.30 = 91 \). The price is lower than the start because the second 30 percent is taken of \$70. \$91.00

  4. After a 4 percent raise a salary is \$54,080. Find the salary before the raise.
    Show the full solution

    Divide by the factor: \( \dfrac{54080}{1.04} = 52000 \). \$52,000

  5. A monthly rent falls from \$25 to \$20 in a worked example of a discount. Find the percent change.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{20 - 25}{25} \times 100 = -20 \). 20 percent decrease

  6. An employee gets raises of 3 percent, 4 percent and 2 percent in three years. Find the total percent increase.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1.03 \times 1.04 \times 1.02 = 1.092624 \), a total increase of 9.26 percent. Adding the three rates would give 9 percent, which understates the growth. 9.26 percent

  7. A job pays \$27.50 an hour for 40 hours and 52 weeks. Another pays \$56,000 a year. Find the annual pay of the first and the difference.
    Show the full solution

    \( 27.50 \times 2080 = 57{,}200 \). The difference is \( 57200 - 56000 = 1200 \) in favor of the hourly job. \$57,200; \$1,200 more

  8. A price is reduced by 20 percent and then increased by 20 percent. Find the final price from \$100, and find what percent increase would restore the original price after the cut.
    Show the full solution

    \( 100 \times 0.80 \times 1.20 = 96 \). To restore \$100 from \$80, the increase is \( \dfrac{100 - 80}{80} \times 100 = 25 \) percent. The restoring percent is larger than the cut because it is taken of a smaller amount. \$96.00; a 25 percent increase

  9. A rate rises from 5 percent to 7 percent. State the change in percentage points and in percent.
    Show the full solution

    The rise is \( 7 - 5 = 2 \) percentage points. As a percent change, the increase is \( \dfrac{7 - 5}{5} \times 100 = 40 \) percent of the original rate. 2 percentage points; a 40 percent increase

  10. A worker gets a 4 percent raise in a year when prices rise 3 percent. Find her real raise, meaning the change in what her pay buys.
    Show the full solution

    Pay is multiplied by 1.04 and prices by 1.03, so buying power is multiplied by \( \dfrac{1.04}{1.03} = 1.00971 \), a gain of about 0.97 percent. Subtracting the rates to get 1 percent is close but not exact. About 0.97 percent

Lesson 1.6 · Unit 1 · N-Q.1-3

When there is no employer to deduct anything

A driver, freelancer or small business owner is paid the whole amount with nothing taken out. That looks like a higher wage. It is not, because the expenses are the worker's, both halves of the payroll tax are the worker's, and the hours include the unpaid ones. Finding the true hourly rate is the core skill.

The method
  1. Net earnings are revenue minus business expenses. Only the net is income for tax purposes.
  2. Standard mileage is an alternative to tracking car costs. A business mile is worth a fixed rate. This course uses \$0.65 a mile, a teaching figure. Use either mileage or actual car costs for the same car, never both.
  3. The self-employed pay both halves of FICA. Self-employment tax is 15.3 percent, applied to 92.35 percent of net earnings.
  4. Half of self-employment tax is deductible in figuring income tax, which is the tax law's way of recognizing that an employee never pays the employer's half.
  5. Nothing is withheld, so the worker sets money aside and makes estimated payments four times a year. A safe rule is to set aside a fixed share of each payment.
  6. Count all the hours. Waiting for the next job, driving to a pickup and buying supplies are unpaid hours that belong in the denominator of the hourly rate.
  7. Compare with an employee's equivalent wage. An employee earning \$18 an hour costs the employer \( 18 \times 1.0765 \) per hour. A freelancer needs to earn that much more per hour before expenses to match.
  8. Benefits are the worker's to buy. Health insurance, retirement saving and paid time off all come out of the earnings and belong in the comparison.

Where students lose marks: comparing gross receipts with a wage. A driver who takes in \$1,250 in a week has not earned \$1,250. After mileage, the phone and self-employment tax, and divided by all the hours, the true rate is much lower. Always subtract before dividing.

Worked example

The problem. A delivery driver takes in \$1,250 in a week. She drove 520 business miles and pays \$15 a week for a phone plan used only for work. She works 34 hours of deliveries and spends 11 more hours waiting between orders. (a) Find the net earnings using the standard mileage rate. (b) Find the self-employment tax. (c) Find her hourly rate before and after that tax, counting all 45 hours. (d) Find the rate if she counted only the paid hours.

Step one: name the givens. Revenue is \$1,250. The mileage rate is \$0.65. The phone is \$15. All hours are 45, of which 34 are active.

Step two: the mileage deduction. \( 520 \times 0.65 = 338.00 \) dollars. Fuel is included in the mileage rate, so it is not subtracted again.

Step three: net earnings for (a). \( 1250 - 338 - 15 = 897 \) dollars.

Step four: self-employment tax for (b). The taxable amount is \( 0.9235 \times 897 = 828.38 \), and the tax is \( 0.153 \times 828.3795 = 126.74 \).

Step five: the rate before the tax, for (c). \( \dfrac{897}{45} = 19.93 \) dollars an hour.

Step six: the rate after the tax. \( \dfrac{897 - 126.74}{45} = 17.12 \) dollars an hour. Income tax has not been taken out yet.

Step seven: the misleading rate for (d). Dividing the gross \$1,250 by the 34 active hours gives \( \dfrac{1250}{34} = 36.76 \), about double the true figure. Both the expenses and the waiting time hide in that number.

Step eight: state the answers. Net earnings were \$897.00, self-employment tax \$126.74, and the true rate \$17.12 an hour after that tax. The advertised rate of about \$36.76 was a gross figure over active hours only. The comparison with an employee wage must use \$17.12.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Use \$0.65 a mile and the 15.3 percent on 92.35 percent rule.

  1. A freelancer invoices \$3,200 and has \$840 in business expenses. Find the net earnings.
    Show the full solution

    \( 3200 - 840 = 2360 \). \$2,360.00

  2. Find the self-employment tax on net earnings of \$12,000.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.9235 \times 12000 = 11082 \), and \( 0.153 \times 11082 = 1695.55 \). \$1,695.55

  3. A courier drives 1,200 business miles. Find the mileage deduction.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1200 \times 0.65 = 780.00 \). \$780.00

  4. A self-employed worker sets aside income for four equal quarterly payments totaling \$4,800 for the year. Find each payment.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{4800}{4} = 1200 \). \$1,200.00

  5. A designer has \$28,000 of revenue and \$6,500 of expenses. Find the net earnings and the self-employment tax.
    Show the full solution

    Net \( 28000 - 6500 = 21500 \). The tax base is \( 0.9235 \times 21500 = 19855.25 \), and the tax is \( 0.153 \times 19855.25 = 3037.85 \). \$21,500.00 net; \$3,037.85 tax

  6. Using the driver's figures in the example, find her hourly rate after self-employment tax if she is able to cut the waiting time from 11 hours to 5, for 39 hours in all.
    Show the full solution

    Net after the tax is \( 897 - 126.74 = 770.26 \). Over 39 hours, \( \dfrac{770.26}{39} = 19.75 \). Cutting 6 hours of waiting raises the true rate by about \$2.63 an hour. \$19.75 an hour

  7. An employee earns \$18.00 an hour for 2,080 hours. Find the annual wages and the employer's half of FICA.
    Show the full solution

    \( 18 \times 2080 = 37440 \). The employer's half is \( 0.0765 \times 37440 = 2864.16 \), so the job costs the employer \$40,304.16. \$37,440.00 wages; \$2,864.16 employer FICA

  8. A freelancer wants to match an employee's \$18.00 an hour for 45 hours, all of which she counts. How much gross must she collect in a week, before expenses and taxes?
    Show the full solution

    The minimum is \( 18 \times 45 = 810 \). This is only the starting point: she also needs to cover the expenses, the self-employment tax and her own benefits, so the real target is higher. At least \$810.00

  9. A contractor has \$52,000 of revenue and \$9,000 of business expenses. Find the self-employment tax and the half of it that is deductible.
    Show the full solution

    Net earnings are \( 52000 - 9000 = 43000 \). The taxable amount is \( 0.9235 \times 43000 = 39710.50 \), and the tax is \( 0.153 \times 39710.50 = 6075.71 \). The deductible half is \( 6075.7065 \div 2 = 3037.85 \). \$6,075.71 tax; \$3,037.85 deductible

  10. A student says, "I earned \$1,000 driving this week, so I earn \$25 an hour because I worked 40 hours." List three things the \$25 leaves out.
    Show the full solution

    The \$1,000 is revenue, not earnings, so vehicle costs (or mileage), phone and any fees must come off first. The 15.3 percent self-employment tax on what remains also comes off. And any unpaid hours spent waiting or driving to pickups must be counted among the 40 or added to them. Each of these lowers the true hourly rate. Expenses, self-employment tax and unpaid hours

Lesson 1.7 · Unit 1 · N-Q.1-3

Compensation is more than the salary

Two jobs with different salaries can pay the same, or the lower one can pay more. Health insurance, a retirement match and paid time off all have dollar values, and adding them is the only fair way to compare. This lesson prices each benefit and compares total compensation.

The method
  1. Total compensation is salary plus the dollar value of benefits. Count only what the employer pays.
  2. An employer health premium is worth what the employer pays. If the plan costs \$7,200 a year and the employer pays 75 percent, the benefit is \$5,400.
  3. A retirement match is a percent of salary, up to a limit. A 100 percent match up to 4 percent of a \$54,000 salary is \( 0.04 \times 54000 = 2160 \) dollars, and it is paid only if the worker contributes.
  4. A match is an immediate return. A dollar contributed that earns a dollar of match has doubled before any investment gain.
  5. Paid time off is paid hours that are not worked. It does not add dollars to a fixed salary, but it lowers the hours and so raises the pay per hour worked.
  6. Hours actually worked are 2080 minus 8 times the number of paid days off (vacation, sick days and holidays).
  7. The effective hourly rate is total compensation divided by the hours actually worked.
  8. Benefits the worker would not use are worth less to that worker. Include them for a true comparison of the employers, but weigh them for your own situation.

Where students lose marks: counting the match as automatic. The employer's match is paid only on the amount the employee contributes. A worker who contributes nothing receives none of it, so the benefit is earned by choosing to save.

Worked example

The problem. Job A pays \$58,000 with no benefits and no paid time off. Job B pays \$54,000. Its employer pays \$5,400 toward health insurance and matches 4 percent of salary to a retirement account, and it gives 15 vacation and sick days and 10 holidays. (a) Find Job B's total compensation. (b) Compare it with Job A. (c) Find the hours worked in a year and the effective hourly rate for each job.

Step one: name the givens. Job A: \$58,000 and nothing else. Job B: \$54,000 salary, \$5,400 health, a 4 percent match, and 25 paid days off.

Step two: the match for Job B. \( 0.04 \times 54000 = 2160 \), assuming the worker contributes at least 4 percent.

Step three: total compensation for (a). \( 54000 + 5400 + 2160 = 61{,}560 \).

Step four: compare for (b). Job B's total exceeds Job A's \$58,000 by \( 61560 - 58000 = 3560 \) dollars, even though its salary is \$4,000 lower.

Step five: hours worked in Job B for (c). Twenty-five paid days off are \( 25 \times 8 = 200 \) hours, so the hours worked are \( 2080 - 200 = 1880 \).

Step six: effective rates. Job B: \( \dfrac{61560}{1880} = 32.74 \) dollars an hour. Job A: \( \dfrac{58000}{2080} = 27.88 \).

Step seven: interpret. Job B pays about \$4.86 more per hour worked once benefits and time off are counted, an advantage that does not show up in the headline salary.

Step eight: state the answers. Job B's total compensation is \$61,560. The effective rates are \$32.74 and \$27.88 an hour. The conclusion depends on the worker using the benefits: if the worker were already covered by a parent's health plan, the \$5,400 would be worth less to her, and the two jobs would be close.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A health plan costs \$7,200 a year and the employer pays 75 percent. Find the value of the benefit to the employee.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.75 \times 7200 = 5400 \). \$5,400.00

  2. An employer matches 3 percent of a \$62,000 salary. Find the match, assuming the employee contributes at least 3 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.03 \times 62000 = 1860 \). \$1,860.00

  3. Twelve paid vacation days are worth how much at \$25 an hour, 8 hours a day?
    Show the full solution

    \( 12 \times 8 \times 25 = 2400 \). Paid time off already sits inside a salary, so this is the pay for hours not worked. \$2,400.00

  4. A job pays \$48,000 and the employer contributes \$4,200 for health insurance and \$1,440 to a retirement plan. Find the total compensation.
    Show the full solution

    \( 48000 + 4200 + 1440 = 53640 \). \$53,640.00

  5. A worker has 10 vacation days and 9 holidays, all paid. Find the hours actually worked in a 2,080-hour year.
    Show the full solution

    The paid days off total \( 10 + 9 = 19 \), or \( 19 \times 8 = 152 \) hours, so \( 2080 - 152 = 1928 \). 1,928 hours

  6. For that worker on a \$47,000 salary, find the effective hourly rate per hour worked.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{47000}{1928} = 24.38 \). The simple rate on 2,080 hours is \( \dfrac{47000}{2080} = 22.60 \), so the paid time off raises the effective rate by about \$1.78. \$24.38 an hour

  7. An employee earning \$50,000 contributes 6 percent and her employer matches 100 percent of contributions up to 4 percent of salary. Find the employer's match.
    Show the full solution

    The match stops at 4 percent of salary: \( 0.04 \times 50000 = 2000 \). Her own contribution is \( 0.06 \times 50000 = 3000 \). The last 2 percent of her contribution, \$1,000, earns no match. \$2,000.00

  8. An employer matches 50 percent of contributions up to 6 percent of salary. An employee earning \$60,000 contributes 6 percent. Find the match and the return on what she put in.
    Show the full solution

    Her contribution is \( 0.06 \times 60000 = 3600 \). The match is 50 percent of that, \( 0.5 \times 3600 = 1800 \). The immediate return is \( \dfrac{1800}{3600} \times 100 = 50 \) percent before any investment growth. \$1,800.00; a 50 percent immediate return

  9. Job A offers \$61,000 with no benefits. Job B offers \$56,000 plus \$4,800 of employer health insurance. Which has the higher total, and by how much?
    Show the full solution

    Job B's total is \( 56000 + 4800 = 60800 \). Job A's is \$61,000. Job A is higher by \( 61000 - 60800 = 200 \) dollars, which is too small a gap to decide on, so other factors (hours, commute, growth, how much the worker values the coverage) should settle it. Job A by \$200.00

  10. A student says, "The 401(k) match is free money, so I should contribute as much as I can." Find the flaw in the conclusion and state what is true.
    Show the full solution

    The match is free only up to the employer's limit. On a match of 100 percent up to 4 percent of salary, contributing 4 percent captures the whole match, and contributions above 4 percent earn no match. They may still be worth making for saving and tax reasons, but they should be judged on those reasons, not as free money. Also, the match is paid only when the worker contributes, and some plans make the worker wait before the match is fully hers. The match is free only up to the limit

Unit 1 review · 10 problems · all lessons

Unit 1 review: Earning and Paychecks

These are shuffled across all seven lessons and do not tell you which idea they want, which is closer to a real test. Name each number, and the period it covers, before you compute.

  1. Find the gross pay for 46 hours at \$18.50 per hour, with time and a half for hours over 40.
    Show the full solution

    Regular pay \( 40(18.50) = \$740 \). Overtime rate \( 1.5(18.50) = \$27.75 \) for 6 hours: \( 6(27.75) = \$166.50 \). Add them. \$906.50

  2. An annual salary of \$54,600 is paid twice a month on fixed dates (24 pay periods) or every two weeks (26 pay periods). Find the gross pay per period for each schedule.
    Show the full solution

    \( 54600 \div 24 = \$2{,}275 \) and \( 54600 \div 26 = \$2{,}100 \). More periods mean a smaller check each time, though the year's total is identical. \$2,275 twice a month; \$2,100 biweekly

  3. A sales job pays a base of \$1,800 a month plus 4% of sales above \$20,000. Find the pay in a month with \$52,500 of sales.
    Show the full solution

    The commission applies only to \( 52500 - 20000 = \$32{,}500 \). \( 0.04(32500) = \$1{,}300 \). Add the base. \$3,100

  4. Gross pay is \$2,600. The stub shows 12% federal tax, 4% state tax, Social Security, Medicare and a \$85 health premium. Find the net pay.
    Show the full solution

    Social Security 6.2% and Medicare 1.45% give 7.65%. Percent deductions total \( 12 + 4 + 7.65 = 23.65\% \), or \( 2600(0.2365) = \$614.90 \). Net \( 2600 - \$614.90 - 85 \). \$1,900.10

  5. Social Security tax is 6.2% of wages up to a wage base, here \$170,000, and Medicare is 1.45% of all wages. Find both taxes on wages of \$190,000.
    Show the full solution

    Social Security: \( 0.062(170000) = \$10{,}540 \), because wages above the base are not taxed. Medicare: \( 0.0145(190000) = \$2{,}755 \). Total \( \$10{,}540 + \$2{,}755 \). \$10,540 and \$2,755, total \$13,295

  6. A raise takes an hourly wage from \$21.50 to \$22.79. Find the percent change, and the added pay over a 2,080-hour year.
    Show the full solution

    Change \( 22.79 - 21.50 = 1.29 \). The base is the old wage: \( \dfrac{1.29}{21.50} = 0.06 \). Annual gain \( 1.29(2080) = \$2{,}683.20 \). 6% and \$2,683.20 a year

  7. Offer A is a \$52,000 salary. Offer B is \$46,800 plus a 6% commission on \$95,000 of expected sales. Which pays more, and by how much?
    Show the full solution

    Offer B: \( 0.06(95000) = \$5{,}700 \), so \( 46800 + 5700 = \$52{,}500 \). Compare with \$52,000. Offer B, by \$500, if the sales estimate holds

  8. A freelancer has \$60,000 of net earnings. Self-employment tax is 15.3% of 92.35% of net earnings. Find it.
    Show the full solution

    Taxable base \( 0.9235(60000) = \$55{,}410 \). Then \( 0.153(55410) \). This covers both the employee and the employer half. \$8,477.73

  9. A \$58,000 salary comes with a 401(k) match of 50% of the first 6% of pay and employer-paid health coverage worth \$480 a month. Find the yearly dollar value of these benefits, and as a percent of salary.
    Show the full solution

    Match: \( 0.50(0.06)(58000) = \$1{,}740 \). Health: \( 480(12) = \$5{,}760 \). Total \$7,500. Percent \( \dfrac{7500}{58000} = 0.1293 \). \$7,500, about 12.9% of salary

  10. A student says a 25% raise followed by a 25% pay cut returns a wage of \$40 to \$40. Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    The two percents have different bases. \( 40(1.25) = \$50 \), then \( 50(0.75) = \$37.50 \). To return to \$40 the cut must be \( \dfrac{10}{50} = 20\% \) of the new wage. The result is \$37.50; a 20% cut is needed

Lesson 2.1 · Unit 2 · F-IF.7b, N-Q.3

Income taxed in layers

The most widespread mistake about income tax is the belief that a raise can push the whole paycheck into a higher rate and leave you with less. It cannot, because each rate applies only to the dollars inside its own bracket. This lesson builds the calculation layer by layer, which is also the first real example of a piecewise function in the course.

The method
  1. Taxable income is what remains after deductions. It is the amount the brackets are applied to, not the gross pay.
  2. The tax is progressive. The rate rises in steps as taxable income rises, and the steps are called brackets.
  3. A rate applies only to the dollars in its bracket. The dollars below the bracket were already taxed at the lower rates.
  4. This course uses a teaching schedule for a single filer: 10 percent on taxable income up to \$12,000; 12 percent on the part from \$12,000 to \$48,000; 22 percent on the part from \$48,000 to \$100,000; 24 percent on the part from \$100,000 to \$190,000; 32 percent above \$190,000. These are teaching figures, not current law.
  5. Add the layers. For each bracket reached, multiply the dollars in the bracket by its rate, then add.
  6. The shortcut: tax at the start of a bracket (\$1,200, \$5,520, \$16,960 and \$38,560 at the four breakpoints) plus the bracket's rate times the dollars above that start.
  7. The marginal rate is the rate of the top bracket reached. It is the rate applied to the next dollar earned.
  8. A raise never lowers take-home pay. The extra dollars are taxed at the marginal rate or rates, which are all below 100 percent, so some of every extra dollar is always kept.

Where students lose marks: the wrong base. Applying the marginal rate to all of the taxable income, instead of only the part inside the top bracket, overstates the tax by thousands of dollars. Split the income into layers first.

Worked example

The problem. Use the teaching schedule. A single filer has taxable income of \$62,000. (a) Find the tax layer by layer. (b) Find it with the shortcut. (c) State the marginal rate. (d) The filer earns a further \$1,000. Find the extra tax and the amount kept.

Step one: name the givens. Taxable income is \$62,000. It reaches the third bracket, which begins at \$48,000.

Step two: the first layer. The first \$12,000 is taxed at 10 percent: \( 0.10 \times 12000 = 1200 \).

Step three: the second layer. The dollars from \$12,000 to \$48,000 are \( 48000 - 12000 = 36000 \), taxed at 12 percent: \( 0.12 \times 36000 = 4320 \).

Step four: the third layer. The dollars from \$48,000 to \$62,000 are \( 62000 - 48000 = 14000 \), taxed at 22 percent: \( 0.22 \times 14000 = 3080 \).

Step five: add for (a). \( 1200 + 4320 + 3080 = 8{,}600 \) dollars.

Step six: the shortcut for (b). Tax at \$48,000 is \$5,520. Then \( 5520 + 0.22 \times (62000 - 48000) = 5520 + 3080 = 8600 \). The answers agree.

Step seven: the marginal rate for (c) and the raise for (d). The top bracket reached is the 22 percent bracket, so the marginal rate is 22 percent. The extra \$1,000 is all inside it, so the extra tax is \( 0.22 \times 1000 = 220 \) and the filer keeps \$780.

Step eight: state the answers. The tax is \$8,600. That is 13.87 percent of the taxable income, well below the 22 percent marginal rate, because most of the income was taxed at 10 and 12 percent. Moving into a higher bracket changes only the tax on the dollars above the line.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. All use the teaching schedule in the method.

  1. What is the marginal rate for a single filer with taxable income of \$30,000?
    Show the full solution

    \$30,000 lies between \$12,000 and \$48,000, in the 12 percent bracket. 12 percent

  2. Find the tax on taxable income of \$10,000.
    Show the full solution

    All of it is in the first bracket: \( 0.10 \times 10000 = 1000 \). \$1,000

  3. Find the tax on taxable income of \$12,000.
    Show the full solution

    Exactly the top of the first bracket: \( 0.10 \times 12000 = 1200 \). \$1,200

  4. Find the tax on taxable income of \$40,000.
    Show the full solution

    The first \$12,000 gives \$1,200. The remaining \( 40000 - 12000 = 28000 \) is taxed at 12 percent: \( 0.12 \times 28000 = 3360 \). Total \( 1200 + 3360 = 4560 \). \$4,560

  5. How many of the dollars in \$62,000 of taxable income are taxed at 22 percent?
    Show the full solution

    Only those above \$48,000: \( 62000 - 48000 = 14000 \). \$14,000

  6. Find the tax on taxable income of \$85,000.
    Show the full solution

    Shortcut: \( 5520 + 0.22 \times (85000 - 48000) = 5520 + 0.22 \times 37000 = 5520 + 8140 = 13660 \). \$13,660

  7. Find the tax on taxable income of \$130,000.
    Show the full solution

    The income reaches the 24 percent bracket, which starts at \$100,000 with tax \$16,960. Then \( 16960 + 0.24 \times 30000 = 16960 + 7200 = 24160 \). \$24,160

  8. A filer with taxable income of \$47,000 receives a \$2,000 raise, all of it taxable. Find the extra tax and the amount kept.
    Show the full solution

    The raise straddles \$48,000. The first \$1,000 (up to \$48,000) is taxed at 12 percent: \$120. The last \$1,000 is taxed at 22 percent: \$220. Extra tax is \( 120 + 220 = 340 \), and the amount kept is \( 2000 - 340 = 1660 \). \$340 tax; \$1,660 kept

  9. A student says, "With taxable income of \$50,000 I'm in the 22 percent bracket, so my tax is \( 0.22 \times 50000 = 11{,}000 \)." Find the error and the correct tax.
    Show the full solution

    The 22 percent applies only to the \( 50000 - 48000 = 2000 \) above \$48,000. The correct tax is \( 5520 + 0.22 \times 2000 = 5520 + 440 = 5960 \). The student overstated the tax by \$5,040 by applying the marginal rate to every dollar. \$5,960

  10. A filer owes \$4,560 in tax. Find the taxable income.
    Show the full solution

    \$4,560 exceeds \$1,200, the tax at \$12,000, so the income is in the 12 percent bracket. The tax above \$1,200 is \( 4560 - 1200 = 3360 \), which came from \( \dfrac{3360}{0.12} = 28000 \) dollars in that bracket. Income is \( 12000 + 28000 = 40000 \). \$40,000

Lesson 2.2 · Unit 2 · N-Q.3

The rate on the last dollar and the rate on all of them

Two numbers describe the same tax. The marginal rate says what the next dollar costs, and it governs decisions about raises, overtime and extra income. The effective rate says what share of income the tax took in all, and it is always lower. Confusing them is the source of most folklore about taxes.

The method
  1. The effective rate is total tax divided by income, times 100. Say which income: taxable income or total income.
  2. The marginal rate is the top bracket's rate. It is the tax on the next dollar.
  3. The effective rate is below the marginal rate for every filer above the first bracket, because the lower brackets pull the average down.
  4. Both rise with income, but the effective rate approaches the marginal rate slowly, since the lower layers matter less and less.
  5. Use the marginal rate to price a change in income, deduction or contribution. The extra tax on a raise is the raise times the marginal rate (if it stays in one bracket).
  6. Use the effective rate to describe a burden. It answers what share of this person's income went to tax.
  7. A raise that crosses a bracket boundary is taxed in pieces, each at the rate of the bracket it falls in.
  8. Gross income is larger than taxable income, so the effective rate on gross income is lower again than the effective rate on taxable income.

Where students lose marks: the wrong base for the percent. The effective rate divides by income, not by the tax, and it must say whether income means taxable income or total income. Dividing the tax by the wrong figure, or quoting the marginal rate where the effective one is asked for, are the two common slips.

Worked example

The problem. A single filer earns \$75,000 in wages and takes a standard deduction of \$14,000. Use the teaching schedule. (a) Find the taxable income. (b) Find the tax. (c) Find the effective rate on taxable income and on total income. (d) Find the marginal rate and the extra tax and amount kept on a \$3,000 raise.

Step one: name the givens. Wages are \$75,000 and the deduction is \$14,000. The schedule is the one from the last lesson.

Step two: taxable income for (a). \( 75000 - 14000 = 61000 \) dollars.

Step three: the tax for (b). The income is in the 22 percent bracket: \( 5520 + 0.22 \times (61000 - 48000) = 5520 + 2860 = 8380 \).

Step four: effective rate on taxable income for (c). \( \dfrac{8380}{61000} \times 100 = 13.74 \) percent.

Step five: effective rate on total income. \( \dfrac{8380}{75000} \times 100 = 11.17 \) percent. This is lower because the \$14,000 deduction enlarges the denominator without adding to the tax.

Step six: the marginal rate for (d). The top bracket reached is 22 percent.

Step seven: price the raise. A \$3,000 raise moves taxable income to \$64,000, still in the 22 percent bracket. The extra tax is \( 0.22 \times 3000 = 660 \), so she keeps \( 3000 - 660 = 2340 \).

Step eight: state the answers. Taxable income \$61,000; tax \$8,380; effective rates 13.74 percent and 11.17 percent; marginal rate 22 percent; \$2,340 of the raise kept. The filer pays 22 cents of tax on the next dollar but has paid only about 14 cents on the average dollar.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Use the teaching schedule and round rates to two decimal places.

  1. The tax on taxable income of \$40,000 is \$4,560. Find the effective rate.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{4560}{40000} \times 100 = 11.4 \). 11.4 percent

  2. Find the effective rate on taxable income of \$85,000, given the tax of \$13,660.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{13660}{85000} \times 100 = 16.07 \). 16.07 percent

  3. Find the tax and the effective rate on taxable income of \$55,000.
    Show the full solution

    Tax: \( 5520 + 0.22 \times 7000 = 5520 + 1540 = 7060 \). Effective rate: \( \dfrac{7060}{55000} \times 100 = 12.84 \). \$7,060; 12.84 percent

  4. A single filer has gross income of \$70,000 and a standard deduction of \$14,000. The tax on her taxable income is \$7,280. Find her effective rate on gross income.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{7280}{70000} \times 100 = 10.4 \). On her taxable income of \$56,000 the rate would be 13 percent, so always say which income you used. 10.4 percent

  5. State the marginal rate for taxable income of \$56,000.
    Show the full solution

    \$56,000 is in the bracket from \$48,000 to \$100,000. 22 percent

  6. Find the tax and the effective rate for taxable income of \$130,000, and compare the effective rate with the marginal rate.
    Show the full solution

    Tax: \( 16960 + 0.24 \times 30000 = 24160 \). Effective: \( \dfrac{24160}{130000} \times 100 = 18.58 \) percent. The marginal rate is 24 percent, more than five points above the effective rate. \$24,160; 18.58 percent against 24 percent

  7. Taxable income rises from \$95,000 to \$100,000. Find the extra tax, and the amount kept of the extra \$5,000.
    Show the full solution

    All of the increase is inside the 22 percent bracket, which runs up to \$100,000. The extra tax is \( 0.22 \times 5000 = 1100 \), and \( 5000 - 1100 = 3900 \) is kept. \$1,100 tax; \$3,900 kept

  8. Taxable income rises from \$95,000 to \$105,000. Find the extra tax and the amount kept.
    Show the full solution

    The raise straddles \$100,000. The first \$5,000 is taxed at 22 percent (\$1,100) and the last \$5,000 at 24 percent (\$1,200). Extra tax \( 1100 + 1200 = 2300 \); kept \( 10000 - 2300 = 7700 \). \$2,300 tax; \$7,700 kept

  9. Compare the effective rates on taxable incomes of \$30,000 and \$60,000, and say what the comparison shows.
    Show the full solution

    Tax on \$30,000: \( 1200 + 0.12 \times 18000 = 3360 \), an effective rate of 11.2 percent. Tax on \$60,000: \( 5520 + 0.22 \times 12000 = 8160 \), an effective rate of 13.6 percent. The higher income pays a higher share, which is what progressive means. 11.2 percent and 13.6 percent: a progressive tax

  10. A worker says, "If I take a \$4,000 raise I'll move from the 12 percent to the 22 percent bracket and take home less." His taxable income is \$47,000. Test the claim.
    Show the full solution

    Taxable income becomes \$51,000. The tax rises from \$5,400 to \( 5520 + 0.22 \times 3000 = 6180 \), an increase of \$780. He keeps \( 4000 - 780 = 3220 \). The first \$1,000 is taxed at 12 percent (\$120) and the last \$3,000 at 22 percent (\$660). He takes home more, never less. False: he keeps \$3,220

Lesson 2.3 · Unit 2 · A-CED.1

Two ways to lower a tax bill, and why they are not equal

A deduction and a credit both reduce what you owe, but by very different amounts. A dollar of deduction is worth only the marginal rate on that dollar, while a dollar of credit is worth a dollar. Knowing which is which decides whether a saving is worth chasing.

The method
  1. A deduction lowers taxable income. Its value is the deduction times the marginal rate.
  2. A credit lowers the tax itself, dollar for dollar, after the tax has been computed.
  3. A credit is worth more than a deduction of the same size. A \$1,000 credit saves \$1,000. A \$1,000 deduction at the 22 percent bracket saves \$220.
  4. The standard deduction is a fixed amount every filer may take without listing expenses. This course uses \$14,000 for a single filer.
  5. Itemizing means listing deductible expenses, such as mortgage interest, state and local taxes, and gifts to charity. Itemize only if the total exceeds the standard deduction.
  6. The benefit of itemizing is the excess. If itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction by \$1,700, the saving is \$1,700 times the marginal rate.
  7. A nonrefundable credit can reduce the tax only to zero. A refundable credit can reduce it below zero and produce a payment to the filer.
  8. Compare by the final tax. When two options are offered, compute the tax both ways and subtract. Do not rely on the size of the deduction or credit alone.

Where students lose marks: treating a deduction as if it were a credit. Subtracting a \$1,000 deduction from the tax instead of from taxable income overstates the saving by about four times for a filer in the 22 percent bracket. Decide which line the amount comes off before subtracting.

Worked example

The problem. A single filer has \$75,000 of wages. Her expenses are mortgage interest \$8,200, state and local taxes \$5,100 and charitable gifts \$2,400. The standard deduction is \$14,000. Use the teaching schedule. (a) Should she itemize? (b) Find the tax both ways. (c) Find the saving. (d) Compare a \$1,000 credit with a \$1,000 deduction.

Step one: total the itemized deductions. \( 8200 + 5100 + 2400 = 15700 \).

Step two: compare for (a). \$15,700 is more than the \$14,000 standard deduction, so she should itemize. The gain is \( 15700 - 14000 = 1700 \) dollars of extra deduction.

Step three: taxable income each way. Standard: \( 75000 - 14000 = 61000 \). Itemized: \( 75000 - 15700 = 59300 \).

Step four: the tax each way for (b). Standard: \( 5520 + 0.22 \times 13000 = 8380 \). Itemized: \( 5520 + 0.22 \times 11300 = 8006 \).

Step five: the saving for (c). \( 8380 - 8006 = 374 \) dollars. That equals \( 1700 \times 0.22 \), the excess deduction times the marginal rate.

Step six: a \$1,000 deduction for (d). It lowers taxable income by \$1,000 and so saves \( 1000 \times 0.22 = 220 \) dollars.

Step seven: a \$1,000 credit. It lowers the tax by \$1,000 directly, saving \$1,000, which is \$780 more than the deduction.

Step eight: state the answers. She should itemize and saves \$374. A credit is worth \$1,000 against a deduction's \$220 for the same headline amount, so a \$1,000 credit is worth about the same as a \$4,545 deduction in the 22 percent bracket (\( 1000 \div 0.22 \)).

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Use the teaching schedule and a \$14,000 standard deduction.

  1. A filer in the 22 percent bracket takes an extra \$1,000 deduction. Find the tax saved.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1000 \times 0.22 = 220 \). \$220

  2. A filer in the 12 percent bracket takes an extra \$2,500 deduction. Find the tax saved.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2500 \times 0.12 = 300 \). \$300

  3. A single filer has wages of \$52,000 and takes the standard deduction. Find the taxable income.
    Show the full solution

    \( 52000 - 14000 = 38000 \). \$38,000

  4. The tax on \$38,000 of taxable income is \$4,320. A \$500 credit applies. Find the final tax.
    Show the full solution

    The credit comes off the tax: \( 4320 - 500 = 3820 \). \$3,820

  5. A filer has itemized expenses of \$6,200, \$4,100 and \$1,500. Should she itemize?
    Show the full solution

    The total is \( 6200 + 4100 + 1500 = 11800 \), which is less than \$14,000. No: take the standard deduction

  6. A filer has wages of \$68,000 and itemized deductions of \$16,500. Find the tax saved by itemizing instead of taking the standard deduction.
    Show the full solution

    Standard: taxable \$54,000, tax \( 5520 + 0.22 \times 6000 = 6840 \). Itemized: taxable \$51,500, tax \( 5520 + 0.22 \times 3500 = 6290 \). Saving \( 6840 - 6290 = 550 \), which equals \( 2500 \times 0.22 \). \$550

  7. In the 22 percent bracket, which saves more: a \$1,500 credit or a \$1,500 deduction? By how much?
    Show the full solution

    The credit saves \$1,500. The deduction saves \( 1500 \times 0.22 = 330 \). The credit saves \( 1500 - 330 = 1170 \) more. The credit, by \$1,170

  8. A filer's tax before credits is \$1,800. She qualifies for a \$2,500 credit. What happens if the credit is nonrefundable, and what if it is refundable?
    Show the full solution

    A nonrefundable credit reduces the tax only to zero, so she owes nothing and the other \( 2500 - 1800 = 700 \) is lost. A refundable credit reduces the tax below zero, so she receives the \$700 as a payment. Nonrefundable: tax \$0, \$700 lost. Refundable: she receives \$700

  9. A filer has taxable income of \$41,000. A \$2,000 deduction lowers it to \$39,000. Find the tax saved.
    Show the full solution

    Tax on \$41,000: \( 1200 + 0.12 \times 29000 = 4680 \). Tax on \$39,000: \( 1200 + 0.12 \times 27000 = 4440 \). The saving is \$240, which is \( 2000 \times 0.12 \). \$240

  10. A student says, "A \$1,000 deduction and a \$1,000 credit are the same thing, because they are both \$1,000." Correct the statement using a filer in the 12 percent bracket.
    Show the full solution

    The deduction comes off income, so it saves the marginal rate on it: \( 1000 \times 0.12 = 120 \). The credit comes off the tax, so it saves \$1,000. The credit is worth \( 1000 \div 0.12 = 8{,}333.33 \) dollars of deduction in that bracket. The deduction saves \$120; the credit saves \$1,000

Lesson 2.4 · Unit 2 · N-Q.1

From wages to refund in six lines

A simple return is a fixed sequence, and each line feeds the next. Once the order is learned, a return for a wage earner is arithmetic with a clear result: a refund if more was withheld than is owed, or a balance due if less. The sequence also shows where each dollar comes from and which lines a student can influence.

The method
  1. Start with total income: wages from the W-2 plus other taxable income such as interest from a bank, reported on a 1099.
  2. Subtract adjustments to get adjusted gross income (AGI). Student loan interest is an example. Adjustments come off before the standard deduction.
  3. Subtract the standard deduction (or itemized deductions) to get taxable income. If deductions exceed income, taxable income is zero, not negative.
  4. Find the tax from the brackets, using the teaching schedule in this course.
  5. Subtract credits from the tax. This gives the total tax for the year, which is the liability.
  6. Compare with what was withheld. The W-2 shows the tax already paid through the year.
  7. Withheld minus liability is the refund. A negative result is the balance owed.
  8. A refund is not a gift. It is the return of money that was taken too early, and it is the wrong number to maximize.

Where students lose marks: the order of the lines. A credit comes off the tax, not off income, and an adjustment comes off before the standard deduction. Writing the six lines down in order and filling each from the line above prevents most errors.

Worked example

The problem. A single filer has wages of \$52,400 and \$300 of bank interest. She paid \$600 of student loan interest, which is an adjustment. She qualifies for a \$500 credit, and her W-2 shows \$4,100 of federal income tax withheld. Use the teaching schedule and the \$14,000 standard deduction. Find her refund or balance due.

Step one: total income. \( 52400 + 300 = 52700 \) dollars.

Step two: AGI. Subtract the adjustment: \( 52700 - 600 = 52100 \).

Step three: taxable income. Subtract the standard deduction: \( 52100 - 14000 = 38100 \).

Step four: the tax. The income is in the 12 percent bracket: \( 1200 + 0.12 \times (38100 - 12000) = 1200 + 3132 = 4332 \).

Step five: apply the credit. \( 4332 - 500 = 3832 \) dollars of tax for the year. This is the liability.

Step six: compare with withholding. \( 4100 - 3832 = 268 \) dollars. Withholding exceeded the liability.

Step seven: interpret. She receives a refund of \$268. Her employer withheld about \$10 too much per check over 26 checks, an interest-free loan to the government of the size of her refund.

Step eight: state the answer. Refund: \$268. The effective rate on her taxable income was \( \dfrac{3832}{38100} = 10.06 \) percent after the credit. Every step is a line she could locate on the actual form, which makes the form less mysterious.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Use the teaching schedule and a \$14,000 standard deduction.

  1. A filer has wages of \$38,000 and \$150 of interest. Find her total income.
    Show the full solution

    \( 38000 + 150 = 38150 \). \$38,150

  2. With an adjustment of \$400, find the AGI and the taxable income for that filer.
    Show the full solution

    AGI is \( 38150 - 400 = 37750 \). Taxable income is \( 37750 - 14000 = 23750 \). AGI \$37,750; taxable income \$23,750

  3. The tax on \$23,750 is \$2,610. She has a \$300 credit and \$2,600 was withheld. Find the refund.
    Show the full solution

    Liability \( 2610 - 300 = 2310 \). Refund \( 2600 - 2310 = 290 \). \$290

  4. A filer has taxable income of \$47,000 and \$5,200 was withheld. There are no credits. Does she receive a refund or owe? How much?
    Show the full solution

    Tax: \( 1200 + 0.12 \times 35000 = 5400 \). Withheld \$5,200 is less than \$5,400, so she owes \( 5400 - 5200 = 200 \). She owes \$200

  5. A student has wages of \$9,000 and takes the \$14,000 standard deduction. Find the taxable income and the tax.
    Show the full solution

    The deduction exceeds income, so taxable income is zero, not negative. The tax is \$0, and any tax withheld is refunded. \$0 taxable income; \$0 tax

  6. A filer has taxable income of \$30,000 and \$2,500 of tax withheld, with no credits. Find the refund or the amount owed.
    Show the full solution

    Tax: \( 1200 + 0.12 \times 18000 = 3360 \). Then \( 3360 - 2500 = 860 \) is owed. She owes \$860

  7. Find the tax on taxable incomes of \$9,500 and \$12,500 and explain why the second is not a whole \$3,000 times 10 percent more.
    Show the full solution

    Tax on \$9,500: \( 0.10 \times 9500 = 950 \). Tax on \$12,500: \( 1200 + 0.12 \times 500 = 1260 \). The increase is \$310, not \$300, because the extra \$500 above \$12,000 is taxed at 12 percent rather than 10 percent. \$950 and \$1,260

  8. A filer has wages of \$44,000, \$1,200 of interest, an \$800 adjustment, a credit of zero, and \$3,000 withheld. Find the AGI, the taxable income, the tax, and the refund or balance due.
    Show the full solution

    Total income \( 44000 + 1200 = 45200 \). AGI \( 45200 - 800 = 44400 \). Taxable income \( 44400 - 14000 = 30400 \). Tax \( 1200 + 0.12 \times 18400 = 3408 \). Withheld \$3,000 is less than \$3,408, so she owes \( 3408 - 3000 = 408 \). AGI \$44,400; taxable income \$30,400; tax \$3,408; she owes \$408

  9. For that filer, find the effective rate on taxable income.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{3408}{30400} \times 100 = 11.21 \). 11.21 percent

  10. A friend says, "I got a \$1,500 refund, so the government gave me \$1,500." Explain what a refund actually is, and what a better goal is.
    Show the full solution

    A refund is money the filer overpaid during the year. The government held it without paying interest. If \$1,500 was overwithheld evenly, it is the same as lending \$1,500 to the government, for about half a year on average. The goal is to have withholding match the liability, so the money is in the filer's hands all year and the refund or balance due is near zero. A refund is the return of an interest-free loan; aim for a refund near zero

Lesson 2.5 · Unit 2 · N-Q.3

The taxes that are not on the paycheck

Income tax is one tax among several. Sales tax is added to a receipt, property tax arrives as a bill once or twice a year, and excise taxes are folded into prices without being shown. Each is a rate applied to a base, and each question is a matter of naming the base.

The method
  1. Sales tax is a percent of the pre-tax price. Tax is the rate times the price, and the total is the price times one plus the rate.
  2. Combined rates add. A state rate of 6 percent and a local rate of 2.25 percent give a combined 8.25 percent.
  3. To recover the price from a total, divide by one plus the rate. A total of \$108.25 at 8.25 percent was a price of \( \dfrac{108.25}{1.0825} = 100.00 \).
  4. Property tax is a rate times the assessed value, not the market price. The assessed value is the figure the county records for the property.
  5. A mill is one thousandth of a dollar. A rate of 14 mills is \$14 per \$1,000 of assessed value.
  6. An excise tax is a fixed amount per unit, such as per gallon of gasoline. The tax is the amount per unit times the units.
  7. Order matters when a discount and a tax both apply. Sales tax is figured on the price after the discount, so the discount lowers the tax too.
  8. Compare burdens as shares of income. A sales tax that is the same rate for everyone takes a larger share of a low income than of a high one.

Where students lose marks: the base. Taking the tax off the total instead of dividing by one plus the rate gives the wrong price. To find the price from a total of \$108.25 with 8.25 percent tax, \( 108.25 \times 0.9175 \) is wrong; the right operation is to divide by 1.0825.

Worked example

The problem. A laptop costs \$849. The sales tax rate is 8.25 percent. (a) Find the tax and the total. (b) A receipt shows a total of \$108.25 at this rate; find the price before tax. (c) A home has an assessed value of \$480,000 and a property tax rate of 1.1 percent. Find the annual and monthly property tax. (d) Gasoline carries an excise tax of \$0.54 a gallon. Find the tax in 14 gallons.

Step one: name the givens. Price \$849, rate 8.25 percent, receipt total \$108.25, assessed value \$480,000 at 1.1 percent, and \$0.54 per gallon.

Step two: the sales tax for (a). \( 0.0825 \times 849 = 70.04 \) dollars, rounded to the cent.

Step three: the total. \( 849 + 70.04 = 919.04 \) dollars.

Step four: recover the price for (b). The total includes the tax, so \( \text{price} = \dfrac{108.25}{1.0825} = 100.00 \). Check: \( 100 \times 1.0825 = 108.25 \).

Step five: annual property tax for (c). \( 0.011 \times 480000 = 5{,}280 \) dollars.

Step six: the monthly amount. \( \dfrac{5280}{12} = 440 \) dollars a month. This figure will matter when a mortgage payment is built in Unit 8, because the owner pays it whether or not it appears on the loan statement.

Step seven: the excise tax for (d). \( 0.54 \times 14 = 7.56 \) dollars in a fill-up of 14 gallons.

Step eight: state the answers. Tax \$70.04 and total \$919.04; the receipt item cost \$100.00; property tax \$5,280 a year or \$440 a month; \$7.56 of gasoline tax. Three different taxes used three different bases: a price, a total, an assessed value and a quantity.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the sales tax on a \$40 purchase at a rate of 7.75 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.0775 \times 40 = 3.10 \). \$3.10

  2. A meal costs \$26.50 before tax and the tax rate is 8.75 percent. Find the tax and the total.
    Show the full solution

    Tax: \( 0.0875 \times 26.50 = 2.32 \). Total: \( 26.50 + 2.32 = 28.82 \). \$2.32 tax; \$28.82 total

  3. A receipt total is \$108.25 at 8.25 percent tax. Find the price before tax.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{108.25}{1.0825} = 100.00 \). \$100.00

  4. A home has an assessed value of \$480,000 and a 1.1 percent property tax rate. Find the annual tax.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.011 \times 480000 = 5280 \). \$5,280

  5. Gasoline is taxed \$0.54 a gallon. Find the tax on 14 gallons.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.54 \times 14 = 7.56 \). \$7.56

  6. A state sales tax is 6 percent and the local tax is 2.25 percent. Find the combined rate and the tax on a \$1,200 purchase.
    Show the full solution

    Combined \( 6 + 2.25 = 8.25 \) percent. Tax \( 0.0825 \times 1200 = 99.00 \). 8.25 percent; \$99.00

  7. A property has an assessed value of \$350,000 and a tax rate of 14 mills. Find the annual tax.
    Show the full solution

    A mill is \$1 per \$1,000, so the tax is \( 14 \times \dfrac{350000}{1000} = 14 \times 350 = 4900 \). \$4,900

  8. A worker earning \$26,000 a year spends \$18,000 on items taxed at 8.75 percent. Another earning \$90,000 spends \$35,000 on taxed items. Find each person's sales tax paid and its share of income.
    Show the full solution

    First: \( 0.0875 \times 18000 = 1575 \), a share of \( \dfrac{1575}{26000} \times 100 = 6.06 \) percent. Second: \( 0.0875 \times 35000 = 3062.50 \), a share of \( \dfrac{3062.50}{90000} \times 100 = 3.40 \) percent. The lower earner pays the smaller amount but the larger share. \$1,575 (6.06 percent); \$3,062.50 (3.40 percent)

  9. A \$240 jacket is 15 percent off and the sales tax is 8.25 percent. Find the total.
    Show the full solution

    Discount price \( 240 \times 0.85 = 204 \). Tax and total: \( 204 \times 1.0825 = 220.83 \). The tax is computed on the discounted price, so the discount also lowers the tax. \$220.83

  10. A student finds the pre-tax price of a \$54.05 receipt at 8.25 percent by computing \( 54.05 \times 0.9175 = 49.59 \). Find the error and the correct price.
    Show the full solution

    The tax is 8.25 percent of the pre-tax price, not of the total, so subtracting 8.25 percent of the total takes off too much. The total is 1.0825 times the price, so the price is \( \dfrac{54.05}{1.0825} = 49.93 \). Check: \( 49.93 \times 1.0825 = 54.05 \). \$49.93

Lesson 2.6 · Unit 2 · N-Q.1-3

Paying the tax during the year, not after it

Income tax is due as the income is earned, not at the end of the year. For an employee the employer handles this through withholding. For anyone without an employer, it means making payments four times a year. The arithmetic is simple. The skill is matching the money paid in to the tax actually owed.

The method
  1. Withholding is an estimate. The employer uses the W-4 form and the pay period to withhold a portion of each check.
  2. Refund or balance due is withheld minus liability. Positive is a refund and negative is a balance owed.
  3. A refund is an interest-free loan to the government. The money could have earned interest in an account all year.
  4. Adjust the W-4 to correct a pattern. To cut a refund of \$720 over 26 checks, reduce withholding by about \( \dfrac{720}{26} = 27.69 \) dollars per check.
  5. Estimated payments are due quarterly for income with no withholding, such as self-employment earnings.
  6. An equal quarterly payment is one quarter of the expected annual tax.
  7. The safe harbor is the smaller of two numbers: 90 percent of this year's tax or 100 percent of last year's tax. Paying at least that much during the year avoids the underpayment penalty, even if a balance is due at filing.
  8. Owing at filing is not a penalty. It means the payments were smaller than the liability. A penalty applies only if the payments fell below the safe harbor.

Where students lose marks: treating a large refund as a sign of success. A refund measures how much too much was taken from each check. The better outcome is a refund near zero, with the money available each month. Compare the amount paid in with the liability, not with zero.

Worked example

The problem. A worker's federal tax liability is \$8,380. Her employer withheld \$9,100 over 26 paychecks. (a) Find her refund. (b) Find the extra amount withheld per check. (c) Separately, a freelancer expects \$12,800 of tax for the year; find his equal quarterly payment. (d) His tax last year was \$7,400 and he expects \$8,800 this year. Find the smallest total payments that stay inside the safe harbor, and the quarterly amount.

Step one: name the givens. Liability \$8,380, withholding \$9,100, 26 checks. The freelancer expects \$12,800.

Step two: the refund for (a). \( 9100 - 8380 = 720 \). She will receive \$720.

Step three: the per-check figure for (b). \( \dfrac{720}{26} = 27.69 \) dollars of extra withholding on each check.

Step four: the quarterly payment for (c). \( \dfrac{12800}{4} = 3200 \) dollars.

Step five: the two safe-harbor numbers for (d). Ninety percent of this year's expected tax is \( 0.90 \times 8800 = 7920 \). One hundred percent of last year's is \$7,400.

Step six: choose the smaller. The safe harbor is \$7,400, since it is less than \$7,920.

Step seven: the quarterly amount. \( \dfrac{7400}{4} = 1850 \) dollars a quarter avoids any penalty, even though he will owe \( 8800 - 7400 = 1400 \) when he files.

Step eight: state the answers. Refund \$720 (about \$27.69 too much per check); quarterly payment \$3,200 on the full expected tax; safe-harbor payments of \$1,850 a quarter. The freelancer trades a balance due at filing for having \$1,400 in hand until then.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A filer had \$6,400 withheld and owes \$5,900 in tax. Find the refund.
    Show the full solution

    \( 6400 - 5900 = 500 \). \$500 refund

  2. A filer had \$4,900 withheld and owes \$5,400 in tax. Find the balance due.
    Show the full solution

    \( 5400 - 4900 = 500 \). \$500 owed

  3. A tax liability of \$9,100 is withheld evenly over 26 paychecks. Find the withholding per check.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{9100}{26} = 350 \). \$350.00

  4. A freelancer expects to owe \$12,800 in tax. Find the equal quarterly payment.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{12800}{4} = 3200 \). \$3,200

  5. Last year's tax was \$7,400. This year's is expected to be \$8,800. Find the safe-harbor quarterly payment.
    Show the full solution

    Ninety percent of this year's is \( 0.9 \times 8800 = 7920 \). The safe harbor is the smaller of \$7,920 and \$7,400, which is \$7,400, and \( \dfrac{7400}{4} = 1850 \). \$1,850 per quarter

  6. A refund of \$1,560 was taken evenly through the year. If the money could have earned 4.5 percent for an average of half a year, find the lost interest.
    Show the full solution

    Interest on \$1,560 at 4.5 percent for half a year: \( 1560 \times 0.045 \times 0.5 = 35.10 \). About \$35.10

  7. A worker files and owes \$2,100. Did she necessarily pay a penalty?
    Show the full solution

    No. Owing at filing means withholding was less than the liability. A penalty applies only if total payments during the year were below the safe harbor, which is the smaller of 90 percent of this year's tax or 100 percent of last year's. Not necessarily

  8. A worker adds \$40 of extra withholding to each of 26 paychecks. Is that an increase or a decrease in the tax paid in, and by how much over the year?
    Show the full solution

    Additional withholding of \$40 per check increases the tax paid in, by \( 40 \times 26 = 1040 \) dollars over the year. To lower withholding she would request less, not more. An increase of \$1,040 a year

  9. A freelancer's liability is \$8,000 and his payments during the year total \$6,400. Find what he owes at filing, and whether his payments reached 90 percent of this year's tax.
    Show the full solution

    He owes \( 8000 - 6400 = 1600 \). Ninety percent of \$8,000 is \$7,200, and \$6,400 is \( 7200 - 6400 = 800 \) below it. Unless last year's tax was \$6,400 or less, he may owe a penalty. Owes \$1,600; \$800 below 90 percent of this year's tax

  10. A student says, "I want the biggest refund I can get, so I'll have extra withheld." Explain why that is not the best plan.
    Show the full solution

    Extra withholding gives the government an interest-free loan: the money leaves each check months before it is owed and is returned without interest. On a \$1,560 refund that is about \$35 of lost interest, and the student also has less to spend or save each pay period. The better goal is a refund near zero, with the extra money saved or used during the year. A refund is money you were not free to use all year

Lesson 2.7 · Unit 2 · N-Q.3

Measuring a tax by the share of income it takes

Whether a tax is fair is a question people disagree about, but whether it is flat, progressive or regressive is a question of arithmetic. The test is one calculation: the tax divided by income, for people at several income levels. The pattern of those shares gives the name.

The method
  1. The test divides the tax by income. For each person, tax paid divided by income gives the share.
  2. A flat (proportional) tax takes the same share of every income. A 9 percent flat tax takes \$4,320 from \$48,000 and \$8,100 from \$90,000.
  3. A progressive tax takes a larger share as income rises. The income tax with brackets is progressive.
  4. A regressive tax takes a smaller share as income rises.
  5. A sales tax is regressive measured against income, even though the rate is the same for everyone, because people with higher incomes spend a smaller share of it on taxed goods.
  6. Payroll tax is regressive above the wage base. Income above the ceiling pays no Social Security tax, so a higher earner's share falls.
  7. A tax can be flat in rate and still be regressive in effect. The name depends on the share of income, not on the rate printed on the form.
  8. Always compute at least three income levels before naming a tax, and compare the shares.

Where students lose marks: comparing dollar amounts instead of shares. A regressive tax can collect more dollars from a rich person than a poor one; it is regressive because the share of income is smaller. The test is always tax divided by income.

Worked example

The problem. Three people have incomes of \$30,000, \$60,000 and \$120,000. They spend \$28,000, \$45,000 and \$70,000 on goods taxed at 8 percent. (a) Find each person's sales tax and its share of income. (b) Classify the sales tax. (c) Under the teaching income tax with a \$14,000 standard deduction, find the tax and share for each. (d) Classify that tax.

Step one: name the givens. Incomes \$30,000, \$60,000, \$120,000; taxed spending \$28,000, \$45,000, \$70,000; rate 8 percent.

Step two: sales taxes for (a). \( 0.08 \times 28000 = 2240 \), \( 0.08 \times 45000 = 3600 \) and \( 0.08 \times 70000 = 5600 \).

Step three: the shares. \( \dfrac{2240}{30000} = 7.47 \) percent, \( \dfrac{3600}{60000} = 6.00 \) percent and \( \dfrac{5600}{120000} = 4.67 \) percent.

Step four: classify for (b). The dollar amounts rise but the shares fall, so the sales tax is regressive.

Step five: income taxes for (c). Taxable incomes are \$16,000, \$46,000 and \$106,000. The taxes are \( 1200 + 0.12 \times 4000 = 1680 \), \( 1200 + 0.12 \times 34000 = 5280 \), and \( 16960 + 0.24 \times 6000 = 18400 \).

Step six: the income tax shares. Measured against total income: \( \dfrac{1680}{30000} = 5.60 \) percent, \( \dfrac{5280}{60000} = 8.80 \) percent, and \( \dfrac{18400}{120000} = 15.33 \) percent.

Step seven: classify for (d). The shares rise with income, so the income tax is progressive.

Step eight: state the answers. The sales tax is regressive (7.47, 6.00 and 4.67 percent of income) and the income tax is progressive (5.60, 8.80 and 15.33 percent). A real tax system combines both, and judging it means adding all of a person's taxes, not judging one at a time.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A flat tax of 9 percent applies. Find the tax on \$48,000 and on \$90,000.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.09 \times 48000 = 4320 \) and \( 0.09 \times 90000 = 8100 \). Both take 9 percent of income. \$4,320 and \$8,100

  2. Find the sales tax on \$500 of purchases at 8.75 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.0875 \times 500 = 43.75 \). \$43.75

  3. A person earning \$30,000 buys 900 gallons of gasoline a year and another earning \$90,000 also buys 900 gallons. At \$0.50 a gallon in gas tax, find the share of income each pays.
    Show the full solution

    Each pays \( 0.50 \times 900 = 450 \). Shares: \( \dfrac{450}{30000} = 1.5 \) percent and \( \dfrac{450}{90000} = 0.5 \) percent. 1.5 percent and 0.5 percent: regressive

  4. A 12 percent flat tax is imposed. Find the tax on \$80,000.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.12 \times 80000 = 9600 \). \$9,600

  5. Name the three types of tax by how the share of income changes with income.
    Show the full solution

    If the share stays the same the tax is flat (proportional). If the share rises with income it is progressive. If the share falls it is regressive. Flat, progressive, regressive

  6. A state taxes the first \$40,000 of taxable income at 5 percent and the rest at 9 percent. Find the tax and the effective rate on \$70,000.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.05 \times 40000 = 2000 \) and \( 0.09 \times 30000 = 2700 \), a total of \$4,700. The effective rate is \( \dfrac{4700}{70000} \times 100 = 6.71 \) percent, below the top rate of 9 percent. \$4,700; 6.71 percent

  7. Social Security tax is 6.2 percent on wages up to \$170,000. Find the share of wages paid by a \$200,000 earner and a \$50,000 earner, and classify the tax at those levels.
    Show the full solution

    The higher earner pays \( 0.062 \times 170000 = 10540 \), a share of \( \dfrac{10540}{200000} = 5.27 \) percent. The lower earner pays \( 0.062 \times 50000 = 3100 \), a share of 6.2 percent. The share falls as income rises above the ceiling, so the tax is regressive at those levels. 5.27 percent against 6.2 percent: regressive

  8. Under the teaching income tax with a \$14,000 deduction, compare the shares of total income taken from a person earning \$30,000 and one earning \$60,000.
    Show the full solution

    The \$30,000 earner has taxable income \$16,000 and tax \$1,680, a share of 5.6 percent. The \$60,000 earner has taxable income \$46,000 and tax \$5,280, a share of 8.8 percent. 5.6 percent and 8.8 percent: progressive

  9. A student says, "A sales tax is fair because everyone pays the same rate." Use numbers to show what the statement leaves out.
    Show the full solution

    The rate is the same, but the base is spending, and spending is a smaller share of income for higher earners. At 8 percent, a person earning \$30,000 who spends \$28,000 on taxed goods pays \$2,240, which is 7.47 percent of income. A person earning \$120,000 who spends \$70,000 pays \$5,600, which is 4.67 percent. Equal rates do not mean equal burdens. The share of income is higher for the lower earner

  10. A high earner pays more sales tax in dollars than a low earner. A student concludes the tax is progressive. Find the flaw.
    Show the full solution

    Dollar amounts are the wrong comparison. A tax is progressive only if the share of income rises with income. A tax can take more dollars from the high earner and still a smaller share, as in the last problem, where \$5,600 is 4.67 percent and \$2,240 is 7.47 percent. Always divide by income. Compare shares of income, not dollar amounts

Unit 2 review · 10 problems · all lessons

Unit 2 review: Income Taxes

These are shuffled across all seven lessons. For every percent, name what it is a percent of before you multiply.

  1. In this problem the brackets for a single filer are 10% up to \$12,000, 12% from there to \$48,000, 22% from there to \$100,000, 24% from there to \$190,000, and 32% above that. Find the tax on a taxable income of \$62,000.
    Show the full solution

    First band \( 0.10(12000) = \$1{,}200 \). Second \( 0.12(48000 - 12000) = 0.12(36000) = \$4{,}320 \). Third \( 0.22(62000 - 48000) = 0.22(14000) = \$3{,}080 \). Add the layers. \$8,600

  2. Find the effective rate and the marginal rate for that \$62,000 taxable income.
    Show the full solution

    Effective \( \dfrac{8{,}600.00}{62000} = 0.1387 \). The marginal rate is the rate on the last dollar, which sits in the third band. Effective about 13.9%; marginal 22%

  3. Use the teaching brackets (10% to \$12,000, 12% to \$48,000, 22% to \$100,000, 24% to \$190,000). A single filer has gross income of \$78,000, puts \$5,000 into a pre-tax retirement plan and takes a \$14,000 standard deduction. Find the taxable income and the tax.
    Show the full solution

    Taxable \( 78000 - 5000 - 14000 = \$59{,}000 \). Tax \( 1200 + 4320 + 0.22(59000 - 48000) = 5520 + 0.22(11000) = 5520 + 2420 \). Taxable income \$59,000; tax \$7,940

  4. A taxpayer in the 22% bracket can use a \$1,500 tax deduction or a \$1,500 tax credit. Find the saving from each and the difference.
    Show the full solution

    A deduction lowers taxable income, so it saves \( 0.22(1500) = \$330 \). A credit lowers the tax itself by \$1,500. \( 1500 - 330 \). Deduction \$330, credit \$1,500; the credit saves \$1,170 more

  5. A shopper buys items priced \$84.50 and \$39.95 where the sales tax rate is 7.25%. Find the total with tax.
    Show the full solution

    Subtotal \( 84.50 + 39.95 = \$124.45 \). Multiply by \( 1.0725 \): \( 124.45(1.0725) = 133.4726 \). \$133.47

  6. A home has a market value of \$300,000. The county assesses homes at 60% of market value and taxes the assessed value at 18 mills (0.018). Find the annual property tax.
    Show the full solution

    Assessed value \( 0.60(300000) = \$180{,}000 \). Tax \( 0.018(180000) \). \$3,240

  7. The filer in problem 3 had \$7,200 withheld from paychecks during the year. Does the filer owe more or get a refund, and how much?
    Show the full solution

    Tax owed \$7,940; withheld \$7,200. \( 7{,}940.00 - 7200 = 740.00 \). Withholding fell short. Owes \$740 more

  8. A freelancer has \$48,000 of net earnings and expects an income tax of \$4,100. Self-employment tax is 15.3% of 92.35% of net earnings. Find the amount of each of four equal estimated quarterly payments.
    Show the full solution

    SE tax \( 0.153(0.9235)(48000) = \$6{,}782.18 \). Total \( 6{,}782.18 + 4100 = 10{,}882.18 \). Divide by 4. \$2,720.55 each quarter

  9. Household A earns \$20,000 and spends \$18,000 on taxable goods; household B earns \$80,000 and spends \$40,000 on taxable goods. With a 7% sales tax, find the tax as a percent of income for each, and classify the tax.
    Show the full solution

    A pays \( 0.07(18000) = \$1{,}260 \), which is \( \dfrac{1260}{20000} = 6.3\% \) of income. B pays \( 0.07(40000) = \$2{,}800 \), which is \( \dfrac{2800}{80000} = 3.5\% \). The share falls as income rises. 6.3% and 3.5%: regressive

  10. A student says a \$1,000 raise that moves taxable income from \$48,000 to \$49,000 puts the whole \$49,000 in the 22% bracket, for a tax of \$10,780. Using the teaching brackets, find the error.
    Show the full solution

    Only the dollars above \$48,000 are taxed at 22%. Tax on \$48,000 is \$5,520; tax on \$49,000 is \$5,740. The raise adds \( 0.22(1000) = \$220 \). The student overstated the tax by \( 10780 - 5{,}740.00 \). The tax is \$5,740, not \$10,780; the raise costs \$220 in tax

Lesson 3.1 · Unit 3 · A-CED.1

A plan for every dollar that arrives

A budget is an equation: income minus planned spending equals what is left. Nothing about it is complicated, and that is the reason people who skip it are often surprised. The discipline is to begin with the money you actually receive, which is the net pay, and to give every dollar a job before the month starts.

The method
  1. Start from net pay. Gross pay is not available to spend, so a budget built on gross always overspends.
  2. List every expense in three groups: needs, wants and savings. Needs are costs you cannot skip, such as rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, insurance and the phone. Wants are choices. Savings are money set aside.
  3. The balance is income minus total planned spending. Positive is a surplus, negative a deficit, and a good budget leaves zero unassigned: any surplus is given to savings or a goal.
  4. Express each category as a percent of net pay by dividing the category by net pay and multiplying by 100.
  5. The 50/30/20 guideline suggests 50 percent of net pay to needs, 30 percent to wants and 20 percent to savings. It is a starting point, not a rule.
  6. Housing is the largest need. Its share of net pay is the first number to check, because it is the hardest to change quickly.
  7. Compare plan with actual each month. The difference between them, the variance, shows where the plan was unrealistic.
  8. Revise the plan, not the goal. If the needs are more than half of net pay, the answer is to change the plan gradually, not to ignore the guideline.

Where students lose marks: the wrong base. Dividing the categories by gross pay, or adding them up and forgetting the savings line, both give a budget that does not balance. Write the net pay at the top and make the total at the bottom equal to it.

Worked example

The problem. A worker's net pay is \$3,120 a month. Her needs are rent \$1,050, utilities \$140, groceries \$380, transportation \$260, phone \$60 and insurance \$95. Her wants are dining \$210, entertainment \$85, clothing \$120 and other \$150. She plans to save \$300. (a) Find each group's total. (b) Find the balance. (c) Find each group as a percent of net pay. (d) Compare with 50/30/20.

Step one: name the givens. Net pay \$3,120 a month. Three groups of spending and a savings plan.

Step two: add the needs. \( 1050 + 140 + 380 + 260 + 60 + 95 = 1985 \).

Step three: add the wants. \( 210 + 85 + 120 + 150 = 565 \).

Step four: total the plan and find the balance for (b). Planned spending is \( 1985 + 565 + 300 = 2850 \). The balance is \( 3120 - 2850 = 270 \), a surplus of \$270 that is not yet assigned.

Step five: percents for (c). Needs: \( \dfrac{1985}{3120} = 63.62 \) percent. Wants: \( \dfrac{565}{3120} = 18.11 \) percent. Savings: \( \dfrac{300}{3120} = 9.62 \) percent. Unassigned: 8.65 percent.

Step six: the guideline for (d). Fifty percent of net pay is \( 0.50 \times 3120 = 1560 \), so needs are \( 1985 - 1560 = 425 \) over. Thirty percent is \$936 and twenty percent is \$624.

Step seven: interpret. Her wants are well under 30 percent and she has a surplus, so the pressure is on the needs. Rent at \( \dfrac{1050}{3120} = 33.65 \) percent is the largest piece. The surplus could go to savings and lift that line from 9.62 percent to 18.27 percent.

Step eight: assign the surplus. Adding \$270 to savings makes savings \$570, or 18.27 percent, and the balance zero. Spending plus savings now equals net pay, which is the test of a finished budget.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Net pay is \$2,400 and planned spending is \$2,250. Find the balance.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2400 - 2250 = 150 \), a surplus. \$150 surplus

  2. Net pay is \$2,800 a month. Find the 50/30/20 amounts.
    Show the full solution

    Needs \( 0.50 \times 2800 = 1400 \). Wants \( 0.30 \times 2800 = 840 \). Savings \( 0.20 \times 2800 = 560 \). The three sum to \$2,800. \$1,400; \$840; \$560

  3. Rent is \$900 and net pay is \$2,400. Find rent as a percent of net pay.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{900}{2400} \times 100 = 37.5 \). 37.5 percent

  4. A worker saves 20 percent of a \$2,800 net monthly pay. Find the annual savings.
    Show the full solution

    Monthly: \$560. Annual: \( 560 \times 12 = 6720 \). \$6,720

  5. Monthly expenses are \$820, \$240, \$310, \$150, \$90 and \$180, and net pay is \$1,900. Find the balance.
    Show the full solution

    Expenses total \( 820 + 240 + 310 + 150 + 90 + 180 = 1790 \). The balance is \( 1900 - 1790 = 110 \). \$110 surplus

  6. A worker with net pay of \$2,400 has needs of \$1,140. Find the needs as a percent of net pay and compare with the 50 percent guideline.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1140}{2400} \times 100 = 47.5 \) percent, which is \( 2.5 \) points under the guideline. 47.5 percent: within the guideline

  7. Dining out costs \$120 a month. A worker cuts it by a quarter. Find the saving in a year.
    Show the full solution

    One quarter of \$120 is \$30 a month, and \( 30 \times 12 = 360 \). \$360 a year

  8. A worker with a \$150 monthly surplus gets a raise that adds \$150 to her net pay. She spends nothing more. Find the new surplus.
    Show the full solution

    \( 150 + 150 = 300 \). \$300 a month

  9. A worker with net pay of \$2,600 saves 20 percent each month. How much does she have after 6 months, ignoring interest?
    Show the full solution

    Monthly savings \( 0.20 \times 2600 = 520 \), and \( 520 \times 6 = 3120 \). \$3,120

  10. A worker earns \$3,900 gross and \$3,120 net, and plans \$3,300 of spending because "I make \$3,900." Find the error and the shortfall.
    Show the full solution

    The budget used gross pay, but only the net pay of \$3,120 is received. Planned spending of \$3,300 exceeds it by \( 3300 - 3120 = 180 \) dollars every month, which would be borrowed or drawn from savings. Budget from net pay; the plan is \$180 short

Lesson 3.2 · Unit 3 · A-CED.1

The costs that do not arrive monthly

A monthly budget is easy for rent and hard for car repairs. Some costs are the same every month, some vary, and some arrive once or twice a year in a large lump. A budget that leaves out the third kind will look healthy until the month the bill comes. The fix is to average every cost into a monthly figure.

The method
  1. Fixed expenses are the same each month and are due on a schedule: rent, insurance premiums, a phone plan, a subscription.
  2. Variable expenses change from month to month, such as groceries, utilities, fuel and dining.
  3. Irregular expenses arrive less often than monthly: car registration, holiday gifts, repairs, annual fees and textbooks.
  4. Budget a variable expense at its average. Add several recent months and divide by the number of months.
  5. Turn an irregular expense into a monthly figure by dividing the annual total by 12. The amount set aside each month is a sinking fund.
  6. Put the sinking fund in its own account or category so it is not spent on something else.
  7. The fixed share of net pay shows how much flexibility is left. The larger it is, the harder it is to adjust if income falls.
  8. Check a budget for completeness by asking what has to be paid once a year, and adding it.

Where students lose marks: leaving out the irregular expenses. A budget of fixed and variable costs can show a comfortable monthly surplus that disappears once the yearly costs are divided by 12 and added. Count every cost before calling any surplus real.

Worked example

The problem. A worker has net pay of \$3,120 a month. Fixed costs are rent \$1,050, insurance \$95, phone \$60 and a subscription \$25. Over four months she paid \$372, \$401, \$388 and \$415 for groceries and \$128, \$142, \$151 and \$135 for utilities. Gas is about \$150 and dining about \$210. Yearly costs are car registration \$312, renter's insurance \$180, gifts \$600, car repairs \$900 and textbooks \$540. (a) Find the fixed total. (b) Find the average grocery and utility costs. (c) Find the monthly amount for the yearly costs. (d) Find what is left.

Step one: name the givens. Net pay \$3,120; three kinds of expense.

Step two: the fixed total for (a). \( 1050 + 95 + 60 + 25 = 1230 \).

Step three: the averages for (b). Groceries: \( \dfrac{372 + 401 + 388 + 415}{4} = \dfrac{1576}{4} = 394 \). Utilities: \( \dfrac{128 + 142 + 151 + 135}{4} = \dfrac{556}{4} = 139 \).

Step four: the irregular total. \( 312 + 180 + 600 + 900 + 540 = 2532 \) dollars a year.

Step five: the monthly figure for (c). \( \dfrac{2532}{12} = 211 \) dollars a month into a sinking fund.

Step six: total the variable and irregular costs. \( 394 + 150 + 210 + 139 + 211 = 1104 \).

Step seven: what is left for (d). Total spending is \( 1230 + 1104 = 2334 \), and \( 3120 - 2334 = 786 \) dollars remains.

Step eight: check and interpret. Fixed costs are \( \dfrac{1230}{3120} = 39.42 \) percent of net pay. Without the \$211 sinking fund she would have appeared to have \$997 left, overstating the true surplus by about 27 percent, and would have been short when the yearly bills arrived.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. An annual cost of \$480 is spread over 12 months. Find the monthly amount.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{480}{12} = 40 \). \$40 a month

  2. Electric bills for three months are \$212, \$198 and \$245. Find the average.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{212 + 198 + 245}{3} = \dfrac{655}{3} = 218.33 \). \$218.33

  3. A streaming and phone bundle costs \$65 a month. Find the cost in a year.
    Show the full solution

    \( 65 \times 12 = 780 \). \$780

  4. Fixed costs are \$1,230 and net pay is \$3,120. Find fixed costs as a percent of net pay.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1230}{3120} \times 100 = 39.42 \). 39.42 percent

  5. A worker needs \$2,400 a year for car repairs. How much goes into the sinking fund each month?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{2400}{12} = 200 \). \$200 a month

  6. Car insurance is paid in four installments of \$168.50 a year. Find the annual cost and the monthly equivalent.
    Show the full solution

    Annual \( 4 \times 168.50 = 674 \). Monthly \( \dfrac{674}{12} = 56.17 \). \$674.00 a year; \$56.17 a month

  7. Six months of water bills are \$86, \$94, \$101, \$77, \$65 and \$71. Find the average and say why an average is used in the budget.
    Show the full solution

    The total is \( 86 + 94 + 101 + 77 + 65 + 71 = 494 \), and \( \dfrac{494}{6} = 82.33 \). A variable cost cannot be known in advance, so the average of recent months is the best single estimate to plan with. \$82.33 a month

  8. Yearly costs are \$240, \$360 and \$150. Find the monthly sinking fund.
    Show the full solution

    The total is \( 240 + 360 + 150 = 750 \), and \( \dfrac{750}{12} = 62.50 \). \$62.50 a month

  9. Classify as fixed, variable or irregular: rent, groceries, car registration, a phone plan, holiday gifts, gasoline.
    Show the full solution

    Rent and a phone plan are the same every month, so fixed. Groceries and gasoline change from month to month, so variable. Car registration and holiday gifts come once a year, so irregular. Fixed: rent, phone. Variable: groceries, gasoline. Irregular: registration, gifts

  10. A student's budget shows a monthly surplus of \$400, but it leaves out \$2,532 of yearly costs. Find the true monthly surplus.
    Show the full solution

    The yearly costs are \( \dfrac{2532}{12} = 211 \) dollars a month. The true surplus is \( 400 - 211 = 189 \) dollars, less than half of what the budget showed. \$189 a month

Lesson 3.3 · Unit 3 · N-Q.1

Making your record agree with the bank's

Your own register and the bank's statement describe the same account, but at different moments. A check you wrote last week may not have reached the bank, and a fee the bank charged may not have reached your register. Reconciling is the routine of making the two agree, and any difference left over is an error to find.

The method
  1. The register is your running record. Start with the balance, add each deposit and subtract each payment, check and fee.
  2. The statement is the bank's record as of its closing date.
  3. They differ for predictable reasons. Some of your transactions have not reached the bank yet, and some of the bank's have not reached your register.
  4. A deposit in transit is money you deposited that is not on the statement yet. It is added to the statement balance.
  5. An outstanding check is a check you wrote that has not been cashed yet. It is subtracted from the statement balance.
  6. The adjusted bank balance is the statement balance plus deposits in transit minus outstanding checks.
  7. The adjusted register balance is the register balance minus fees and plus interest that the bank recorded and you had not.
  8. The two adjusted balances must match. If they differ, look for a transposed figure (a difference divisible by 9), a missed transaction, or a wrong amount.

Where students lose marks: the direction. Outstanding checks are subtracted from the statement balance because the money is committed even though the bank has not paid it yet. Adding them, or forgetting the deposit in transit, both give a balance that is wrong by a large amount.

Worked example

The problem. A statement shows an ending balance of \$1,284.50. A deposit of \$420.00 was made on the last day and is not yet on the statement. Three checks have not cleared: \$85.25, \$212.40 and \$39.99. The register shows \$1,371.86, but the statement lists a \$5.00 monthly fee that the register does not. Reconcile the account.

Step one: name the givens. Statement balance \$1,284.50; deposit in transit \$420.00; outstanding checks \$85.25, \$212.40, \$39.99; register \$1,371.86; unrecorded fee \$5.00.

Step two: total the outstanding checks. \( 85.25 + 212.40 + 39.99 = 337.64 \).

Step three: add the deposit in transit. \( 1284.50 + 420.00 = 1704.50 \).

Step four: subtract the outstanding checks. \( 1704.50 - 337.64 = 1366.86 \). This is the adjusted bank balance.

Step five: adjust the register. The fee reduces the balance: \( 1371.86 - 5.00 = 1366.86 \).

Step six: compare. Both adjusted balances are \$1,366.86, so the account reconciles.

Step seven: interpret. The true amount available to spend is \$1,366.86, not the \$1,284.50 on the statement and not the \$1,371.86 in the register. Spending from the statement balance would ignore the committed checks; spending from the register would forget the fee.

Step eight: record the fee. Enter the \$5.00 fee in the register so the two records agree going forward. A routine of reconciling each month also catches fraud and bank errors while they are small.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A register shows a balance of \$1,250.00. A \$300.00 deposit and a \$120.50 check are recorded. Find the new balance.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1250.00 + 300.00 - 120.50 = 1429.50 \). \$1,429.50

  2. Two checks, \$45.10 and \$62.75, have not cleared. Find the total outstanding.
    Show the full solution

    \( 45.10 + 62.75 = 107.85 \). \$107.85

  3. A statement shows \$900.00, with a \$150.00 deposit in transit and \$107.85 of checks outstanding. Find the adjusted bank balance.
    Show the full solution

    \( 900.00 + 150.00 - 107.85 = 942.15 \). \$942.15

  4. A register shows \$1,420.30. The statement lists a \$12.00 fee and \$3.45 of interest that are not in the register. Find the adjusted register balance.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1420.30 - 12.00 + 3.45 = 1411.75 \). \$1,411.75

  5. A statement shows \$2,310.75 and there is no deposit in transit. Checks totaling \$650.25 are outstanding. Find the adjusted bank balance.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2310.75 - 650.25 = 1660.50 \). \$1,660.50

  6. For that account the register shows \$1,671.65 before recording a \$12.00 fee and \$0.85 interest. Does it reconcile?
    Show the full solution

    Adjusted register: \( 1671.65 - 12.00 + 0.85 = 1660.50 \). This matches the adjusted bank balance of \$1,660.50. Yes, both are \$1,660.50

  7. Suppose instead the adjusted register balance is \$1,651.50 against \$1,660.50. The difference is divisible by 9. Suggest a likely cause.
    Show the full solution

    The difference is \( 1660.50 - 1651.50 = 9.00 \). A difference divisible by 9 often means two digits were swapped. The register is lower than the bank, so a payment was recorded for too much, for example \$54.00 entered for a check that was really \$45.00. A transposed figure, such as 54 for 45

  8. A check for \$98.00 was recorded in the register as \$89.00, and the register balance is \$742.10. Find the corrected balance.
    Show the full solution

    The register subtracted \$9.00 too little, so its balance is \$9.00 too high: \( 742.10 - 9.00 = 733.10 \). \$733.10

  9. A statement shows \$1,100.00, a deposit of \$250.00 is in transit and a \$90.00 check is outstanding. Find the adjusted bank balance.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1100.00 + 250.00 - 90.00 = 1260.00 \). \$1,260.00

  10. A student uses the example's figures and gets \$1,622.14 by adding the outstanding checks to the statement balance and ignoring the deposit. Find the errors and the correct balance.
    Show the full solution

    The student computed \( 1284.50 + 337.64 = 1622.14 \). There are two mistakes: outstanding checks must be subtracted, because the money is already committed, and the \$420.00 deposit in transit must be added. The correct adjusted balance is \( 1284.50 + 420.00 - 337.64 = 1366.86 \). \$1,366.86

Lesson 3.4 · Unit 3 · F-LE.1

The rate that tells you what you will actually earn

Two banks can advertise nearly the same rate and pay different amounts. The difference is how often the interest is added to the balance. The annual percentage yield, APY, folds the compounding into a single number that can be compared across accounts. This lesson introduces it with a formula that Unit 4 will explain in full.

The method
  1. The stated (nominal) rate is the annual rate before compounding. It is written \( r \) as a decimal.
  2. Interest compounds when it is added to the balance and then earns interest itself. The number of times a year is \( n \).
  3. The APY is the rate that, applied once a year, gives the same result: \( \text{APY} = \left(1 + \dfrac{r}{n}\right)^n - 1 \).
  4. APY is at least as large as the stated rate, and the gap grows with the rate and with \( n \).
  5. The balance after one year is the starting balance times one plus the APY.
  6. Compare accounts by APY. Stated rates with different compounding cannot be compared directly.
  7. More frequent compounding helps a little. Daily is better than monthly, which is better than quarterly, but the differences are small at savings-account rates.
  8. A fee can outweigh the interest. On a small balance, a monthly fee may be larger than the interest earned, so the net return is negative.

Where students lose marks: comparing the stated rate of one account with the APY of another. A stated rate of 4.80 percent compounded monthly is an APY of 4.91 percent, which beats an account at 4.85 percent APY. Always compare APY with APY.

Worked example

The problem. Account A pays a stated rate of 4.80 percent compounded monthly. Account B pays 4.85 percent compounded once a year. Each starts with \$5,000. (a) Find the APY of each. (b) Find each balance after one year. (c) Decide which account is better and by how much.

Step one: name the givens. Account A: \( r = 0.048 \), \( n = 12 \). Account B: \( r = 0.0485 \), \( n = 1 \). Principal \$5,000.

Step two: the APY of A. \( \left(1 + \dfrac{0.048}{12}\right)^{12} - 1 = (1.004)^{12} - 1 = 0.049070 \), so the APY is 4.907 percent.

Step three: the APY of B. With \( n = 1 \), the APY equals the stated rate: \( (1 + 0.0485)^1 - 1 = 0.0485 \), or 4.85 percent.

Step four: the balances. A: \( 5000 \times 1.049070 = 5245.35 \). B: \( 5000 \times 1.0485 = 5242.50 \).

Step five: compare. Account A earns \$245.35 and Account B earns \$242.50. Account A pays \( 5245.35 - 5242.50 = 2.85 \) dollars more.

Step six: interpret. Account A has a lower stated rate and still wins, because the monthly compounding adds about 0.11 percentage points. A reader comparing only the stated rates would have chosen wrongly.

Step seven: size the difference. On \$5,000 for one year the advantage is under three dollars. At these rates compounding frequency is a small effect, and a one-point difference in the rate or a monthly fee would matter far more.

Step eight: state the answers. APYs of 4.907 percent and 4.85 percent; balances of \$5,245.35 and \$5,242.50; Account A is better by \$2.85 over a year.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Round APY to two decimal places unless told otherwise.

  1. Find the APY of an account paying 3 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( \left(1 + \dfrac{0.03}{12}\right)^{12} - 1 = (1.0025)^{12} - 1 = 0.030416 \). 3.04 percent

  2. An account pays 1.5 percent APY. Find the interest on \$8,000 after one year.
    Show the full solution

    \( 8000 \times 0.015 = 120 \). \$120.00

  3. Find the balance after one year on \$12,000 at 4.2 percent APY.
    Show the full solution

    \( 12000 \times 1.042 = 12504 \). \$12,504.00

  4. Find the APY of an account paying 6 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.005)^{12} - 1 = 0.061678 \). 6.17 percent

  5. Which is better: 4.5 percent compounded quarterly, or 4.55 percent compounded once a year?
    Show the full solution

    The quarterly account has an APY of \( (1.01125)^4 - 1 = 0.045765 \), or 4.58 percent. The annual account has an APY of 4.55 percent. The quarterly account is better. 4.5 percent quarterly (4.58 percent APY)

  6. Find the balance after two years on \$2,500 at 4.4 percent APY.
    Show the full solution

    The APY applies once each year, so \( 2500 \times (1.044)^2 = 2500 \times 1.089936 = 2724.84 \). \$2,724.84

  7. A checking account charges \$12 a month and pays 4.0 percent APY on an \$800 balance. Find the net result over a year.
    Show the full solution

    Interest: \( 800 \times 0.04 = 32 \). Fees: \( 12 \times 12 = 144 \). Net \( 32 - 144 = -112 \). The account loses \$112 a year. A loss of \$112.00

  8. Find the monthly rate that compounds to an APY of 5.0 percent.
    Show the full solution

    Solve \( (1 + i)^{12} = 1.05 \): \( 1 + i = 1.05^{1/12} = 1.004074 \), so \( i = 0.4074 \) percent a month. This is a little under one-twelfth of 5 percent (0.4167), because the interest compounds. About 0.4074 percent a month

  9. Compare the APY of 3 percent compounded monthly, quarterly and daily.
    Show the full solution

    Monthly: 3.0416 percent. Quarterly: \( (1.0075)^4 - 1 = 3.0339 \) percent. Daily: \( \left(1 + \dfrac{0.03}{365}\right)^{365} - 1 = 3.0453 \) percent. More frequent compounding pays more, but the gap from quarterly to daily is only 0.0114 of a point. 3.0339, 3.0416 and 3.0453 percent

  10. A student says, "APY and the stated rate are the same thing." Use 6 percent compounded monthly on \$10,000 to show the difference in dollars.
    Show the full solution

    The stated rate of 6 percent would give \( 10000 \times 0.06 = 600 \) if the interest were paid once at year end. With monthly compounding the APY is 6.1678 percent, so the interest is \( 10000 \times 0.061678 = 616.78 \). The APY gives \$16.78 more, because interest added each month earns interest. APY is higher: \$616.78 against \$600.00

Lesson 3.5 · Unit 3 · N-Q.3

What a bank account costs to keep

A checking account looks free, but it carries fees that only appear when something goes wrong or something is used. They are small each time and large in total, and they fall most heavily on people with the smallest balances. Adding them up, and converting each to a yearly cost and a percent of the purchase, is the way to see what they are.

The method
  1. A monthly maintenance fee is charged every month unless a condition is met, such as a minimum balance or a minimum direct deposit.
  2. The annual cost of a monthly fee is the fee times 12. A \$12 fee is \$144 a year.
  3. An overdraft fee is charged when a payment exceeds the balance and the bank pays it anyway. The fee applies to each transaction.
  4. Express a fee as a percent of the purchase that triggered it. A \$34 fee on a \$4.50 coffee is \( \dfrac{34}{4.50} \times 100 = 755.56 \) percent.
  5. An ATM outside the network usually costs twice: a fee from your own bank and a fee from the machine's owner.
  6. Waiving a fee can have a cost. A required minimum balance is money that cannot earn interest elsewhere. Its cost is the interest it could have earned.
  7. A debit card draws on the balance directly. There is no interest, but an overdraft fee can apply, and the card does not build a credit history.
  8. Compare accounts by total annual cost: fees plus the interest given up, minus any interest earned.

Where students lose marks: measuring a fee against the account rather than against the transaction. A \$34 fee looks small beside a \$1,000 balance, but it is the price of a \$4.50 purchase, and it can be charged again and again. Express it as a percent of what it was charged on.

Worked example

The problem. A checking account charges \$12 a month, waived with a minimum balance of \$1,500. Overdrafts cost \$34. Using another bank's ATM costs \$2.50 from the bank plus \$3.00 from the machine's owner. The customer could otherwise earn 4.5 percent on money in savings. (a) Find the annual maintenance fee. (b) Find the cost of keeping the minimum balance instead. (c) Express the overdraft fee as a percent of a \$4.50 coffee that caused it. (d) Find the yearly cost of six outside ATM withdrawals a month.

Step one: name the givens. Fee \$12 a month; minimum balance \$1,500; overdraft \$34; ATM fees \$2.50 and \$3.00; alternative rate 4.5 percent.

Step two: the annual fee for (a). \( 12 \times 12 = 144 \) dollars.

Step three: the cost of the minimum balance for (b). The \$1,500 could earn \( 1500 \times 0.045 = 67.50 \) dollars in a year elsewhere. That is what keeping it in the account costs.

Step four: compare. Keeping the minimum balance costs \$67.50 against a \$144 fee, so if the customer can leave \$1,500 in the account, the waiver saves \( 144 - 67.50 = 76.50 \) dollars a year.

Step five: the overdraft fee as a percent for (c). \( \dfrac{34}{4.50} \times 100 = 755.56 \) percent of the coffee's price.

Step six: the ATM cost per withdrawal for (d). \( 2.50 + 3.00 = 5.50 \) dollars for each withdrawal.

Step seven: the yearly cost. Six a month is \( 6 \times 12 = 72 \) withdrawals, and \( 72 \times 5.50 = 396 \) dollars a year.

Step eight: state the answers. The fee is \$144 a year; the minimum balance costs \$67.50 in lost interest; the overdraft fee is 755.56 percent of the purchase; outside ATMs cost \$396 a year. The cheapest habit is the one that avoids all three: keep the minimum balance and use the bank's own machines.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A monthly fee of \$8.95 is charged every month. Find the annual cost.
    Show the full solution

    \( 8.95 \times 12 = 107.40 \). \$107.40

  2. A customer is charged three overdraft fees of \$34. Find the total.
    Show the full solution

    \( 3 \times 34 = 102 \). \$102

  3. An overdraft fee of \$34 was caused by a \$12 purchase. Express the fee as a percent of the purchase.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{34}{12} \times 100 = 283.33 \). 283.33 percent

  4. Each outside ATM withdrawal costs \$2.50 from the bank and \$3.00 from the owner. Find the cost of four withdrawals.
    Show the full solution

    \( 4 \times (2.50 + 3.00) = 22.00 \). \$22.00

  5. Find the yearly cost if a customer makes four outside withdrawals every month at those fees.
    Show the full solution

    Each month costs \$22.00, and \( 22 \times 12 = 264 \). \$264.00

  6. Account A charges \$15 a month with no minimum balance. Account B is free if the balance stays at \$2,000, which the customer could otherwise invest at 4.0 percent. Find the annual cost of each and the difference.
    Show the full solution

    Account A costs \( 15 \times 12 = 180 \). Account B costs the interest given up, \( 2000 \times 0.04 = 80 \). B is cheaper by \( 180 - 80 = 100 \) dollars a year. A: \$180; B: \$80; B saves \$100

  7. A free account requires a \$2,500 minimum balance. Money could otherwise earn 4.4 percent. Find the yearly cost of the requirement.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2500 \times 0.044 = 110 \). The account is not free; it costs about \$110 a year in lost interest. \$110.00

  8. A customer overdraws three times a month at \$34 each. Find the yearly cost.
    Show the full solution

    \( 3 \times 34 \times 12 = 1224 \). This is more than many people save in a year. \$1,224

  9. A card charges \$0.35 for each debit purchase. A customer makes 8 purchases a month. Find the monthly and yearly cost.
    Show the full solution

    Monthly \( 8 \times 0.35 = 2.80 \). Yearly \( 2.80 \times 12 = 33.60 \). \$2.80 a month; \$33.60 a year

  10. A student says, "A \$34 overdraft fee is small compared with my \$1,000 balance." Explain why that is the wrong comparison, using a \$4.50 coffee.
    Show the full solution

    The fee should be measured against what triggered it. On a \$4.50 purchase, \$34 is 755.56 percent, a rate no lender could charge openly. It can also be charged again on the next transaction. Comparing it with the balance hides both facts. The fee is 755.56 percent of the purchase

Lesson 3.6 · Unit 3 · A-CED.1

Saving for the thing you know and the thing you don't

Two kinds of saving need two different plans. A goal has a known size and date: a deposit, a trip, a car. An emergency fund has no date at all, because nobody knows when the transmission will fail. Both reduce to the same arithmetic of amount, time and monthly deposit.

The method
  1. An emergency fund covers essential expenses, not income. The usual target is three to six months of the needs you could not skip.
  2. Target = monthly essential expenses times the number of months. Essential expenses of \$1,985 give \$5,955 for three months and \$11,910 for six.
  3. Time to reach a target is the target divided by the monthly deposit, rounded up to a whole month.
  4. Monthly deposit for a deadline is the amount still needed divided by the number of months left.
  5. Progress is the amount saved divided by the target, as a percent.
  6. Keep the fund separate in a savings account that earns interest and is not linked to daily spending.
  7. A fund is for true emergencies: a lost job, a medical bill, an essential repair. A sale is not an emergency.
  8. Interest is helpful but small at this scale, so the plan in this lesson ignores it, and it will be added in Unit 5 for long-term saving.

Where students lose marks: the wrong base. An emergency fund is sized on essential expenses, not on income. Three months of income is larger than needed for most people, and it makes the goal feel out of reach, which is how people end up saving nothing.

Worked example

The problem. A worker's essential expenses are \$1,985 a month. (a) Find a three-month and a six-month emergency fund. (b) She can save \$300 a month. Find how long the three-month fund takes. (c) She also wants \$4,800 for a move in 16 months. Find the monthly deposit. (d) Find the combined monthly saving and whether her \$570 a month covers it.

Step one: name the givens. Essential expenses \$1,985 a month; saving capacity \$300 a month for the fund; a separate \$4,800 goal in 16 months.

Step two: the targets for (a). \( 3 \times 1985 = 5955 \) and \( 6 \times 1985 = 11910 \) dollars.

Step three: the time for (b). \( \dfrac{5955}{300} = 19.85 \), rounded up to 20 months, because 19 months of deposits would leave her just short.

Step four: the goal deposit for (c). \( \dfrac{4800}{16} = 300 \) dollars a month.

Step five: combine for (d). Saving for both at once needs \( 300 + 300 = 600 \) dollars a month.

Step six: compare with capacity. She has \$570 available (from the earlier budget), so she is \$30 short each month. She can extend the move to 18 months, which lowers that deposit to \( \dfrac{4800}{18} = 266.67 \) and the total to \$566.67, or she can shave the fund to a smaller first target.

Step seven: progress check. After 10 months of \$300, the fund holds \$3,000, which is \( \dfrac{3000}{5955} \times 100 = 50.38 \) percent of the three-month target.

Step eight: state the answers. Targets of \$5,955 and \$11,910; 20 months to the first; \$300 a month for the move; \$600 combined, which exceeds her \$570 capacity by \$30. The plan has to change, and arithmetic is how she finds that out before it fails.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Ignore interest.

  1. Essential expenses are \$2,200 a month. Find a three-month emergency fund.
    Show the full solution

    \( 3 \times 2200 = 6600 \). \$6,600

  2. How many months does it take to save \$6,600 at \$275 a month?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{6600}{275} = 24 \). 24 months

  3. A worker wants \$4,800 in 16 months. Find the monthly deposit.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{4800}{16} = 300 \). \$300 a month

  4. A saver has \$1,850 toward a \$7,400 goal. Find the percent of the goal reached.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1850}{7400} \times 100 = 25 \). 25 percent

  5. A worker wants \$9,000 in 18 months. Find the monthly deposit.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{9000}{18} = 500 \). \$500 a month

  6. A goal is \$6,000 and \$1,750 is already saved. At \$250 a month, how many months remain?
    Show the full solution

    Still needed \( 6000 - 1750 = 4250 \), and \( \dfrac{4250}{250} = 17 \). 17 months

  7. Essential expenses are \$2,450 a month. Find a four-month fund, and the months needed at \$350 a month.
    Show the full solution

    Fund \( 4 \times 2450 = 9800 \). Months \( \dfrac{9800}{350} = 28 \). \$9,800; 28 months

  8. A saver wants \$2,400 for a down payment and saves \$150 a month plus \$75 from occasional income. How many months are needed?
    Show the full solution

    Monthly saving is \( 150 + 75 = 225 \). Then \( \dfrac{2400}{225} = 10.67 \), which rounds up to 11 months, since 10 months gives only \$2,250. 11 months

  9. A worker with \$2,400 of net pay a month saves 20 percent. Find the annual savings.
    Show the full solution

    Monthly \( 0.20 \times 2400 = 480 \). Annual \( 480 \times 12 = 5760 \). \$5,760

  10. A student sizes an emergency fund as three months of income, \$3,120 a month, getting \$9,360, although essential expenses are \$1,985. Find the error and the right target.
    Show the full solution

    An emergency fund replaces the expenses that cannot be skipped, not the income. The right target is \( 3 \times 1985 = 5955 \). The income-based figure is \( 9360 - 5955 = 3405 \) dollars too large, which adds months of saving for no added protection. \$5,955, not \$9,360

Unit 3 review · 10 problems · all lessons

Unit 3 review: Budgeting and Banking

These are shuffled across all six lessons. Keep full precision and round only the final answer to cents.

  1. Net pay is \$3,240 a month. A 50/30/20 budget assigns 50% to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to saving. Find each amount.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.50(3240) = \$1{,}620 \), \( 0.30(3240) = \$972 \), \( 0.20(3240) = \$648 \). The three add back to \$3,240. \$1,620 needs, \$972 wants, \$648 saving

  2. Car registration costs \$180 a year, holiday gifts \$420 and medical copays \$300. How much should be set aside each month to cover these irregular expenses?
    Show the full solution

    Yearly total \( 180 + 420 + 300 = \$900 \). Divide by 12. \$75 a month

  3. A bank statement shows a balance of \$1,842.30. Checks for \$215.00 and \$64.50 have not cleared, and a deposit of \$480 is not yet shown. Find the true balance.
    Show the full solution

    Subtract outstanding checks and add the deposit in transit: \( 1842.30 - 279.50 + 480 \). \$2,042.80

  4. A savings account pays a 5.2% annual rate compounded quarterly. Find the APY.
    Show the full solution

    Quarterly rate \( 0.052 \div 4 = 0.013 \). \( (1.013)^4 = 1.053023 \), so APY \( = 0.053023 \). about 5.30%

  5. An account with a 4.2% APY holds \$6,000 for two years with no deposits. Find the balance.
    Show the full solution

    APY already includes compounding, so grow by \( 1.042 \) each year: \( 6000(1.042)^2 = 6000(1.085764) \). \$6,514.58

  6. A customer overdraws 3 times a month for 4 months at a \$34 fee each time, and pays a \$12 monthly account fee all year. Find the yearly cost of banking.
    Show the full solution

    Overdraft fees \( 12(34) = \$408 \). Account fees \( 12(12) = \$144 \). \$552

  7. Essential expenses are \$2,750 a month. A six-month emergency fund is the goal. The student has \$3,000 and can save \$450 a month. How many months will it take?
    Show the full solution

    Goal \( 6(2750) = \$16{,}500 \). Still needed \( 16500 - 3000 = \$13{,}500 \). \( 13500 \div 450 \). 30 months

  8. A student needs \$9,000 in 3 years and will earn no interest. How much must be saved each month?
    Show the full solution

    There are \( 3(12) = 36 \) deposits. \( 9000 \div 36 \). \$250 a month

  9. Account A charges \$9 a month unless the balance stays above \$1,500. Account B has no fee. A customer's balance is about \$1,200. Find the yearly fee at A and the fee as a percent of the balance.
    Show the full solution

    The balance is under \$1,500, so the fee applies: \( 9(12) = \$108 \). Percent \( \dfrac{108}{1200} = 0.09 \). \$108, which is 9% of the balance; account B is cheaper

  10. A student says that a 5.2% account compounded quarterly pays exactly 5.2% a year. Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    The rate quoted is nominal. Interest earned in each quarter also earns interest, so the account grows \( (1.013)^4 = 1.053023 \) in a year. The yearly growth is the APY. It pays about 5.30% (APY), slightly more than 5.2%

Lesson 4.1 · Unit 4 · F-LE.1-2

Interest that grows in a straight line

Interest is the price of using someone else's money. The simplest version charges a fixed percent of the original amount for every year the money is used, so it grows by the same number of dollars each year. It is used for short loans and some bonds, and it is the baseline against which compound interest is measured in the next lesson.

The method
  1. The simple interest formula is \( I = Prt \). \( P \) is the principal, the amount borrowed or deposited; \( r \) is the annual rate as a decimal; \( t \) is the time in years.
  2. The rate is a decimal. Four and a half percent is 0.045, found by dividing the percent by 100.
  3. Time is in years. Convert months by dividing by 12 and days by 365. Eighteen months is 1.5 years and 90 days is about 0.2466 of a year.
  4. The total amount is \( A = P + I = P(1 + rt) \). It is what is repaid, or what the deposit grows to.
  5. Interest is the same every year. The balance grows by \( Pr \) dollars a year, which is a straight line.
  6. Solve for any one unknown by rearranging: \( r = \dfrac{I}{Pt} \), \( t = \dfrac{I}{Pr} \), \( P = \dfrac{I}{rt} \).
  7. The units of \( r \) and \( t \) must match. An annual rate needs time in years, and a monthly rate needs time in months.
  8. Check the size. Interest on a one-year loan is \( r \) times the principal, so \$1,200 at 5 percent for 2 years should earn about \$120 a year, or \$240.

Where students lose marks: the period mismatch. An annual rate multiplied by a time in months gives interest twelve times too large. Convert the time to years first, and write the unit next to each number.

Worked example

The problem. (a) Find the simple interest on \$8,000 at 4.5 percent for 3 years. (b) Find the total amount. (c) Find the interest for 18 months. (d) Find the rate if \$6,000 earns \$1,260 in 3.5 years. (e) Find the time for \$2,500 at 3.2 percent to earn \$200. (f) Find the principal that earns \$396 at 5.5 percent in 2 years.

Step one: name the givens for (a). \( P = 8000 \), \( r = 0.045 \), \( t = 3 \) years.

Step two: the interest. \( I = 8000 \times 0.045 \times 3 = 1080 \) dollars, or \$360 each year.

Step three: the total for (b). \( A = 8000 + 1080 = 9080 \) dollars.

Step four: the months for (c). Eighteen months is \( \dfrac{18}{12} = 1.5 \) years, so \( I = 8000 \times 0.045 \times 1.5 = 540 \) dollars. Using 18 for the time would give 12 times too much.

Step five: the rate for (d). \( r = \dfrac{1260}{6000 \times 3.5} = \dfrac{1260}{21000} = 0.06 \), so 6 percent.

Step six: the time for (e). \( t = \dfrac{200}{2500 \times 0.032} = \dfrac{200}{80} = 2.5 \) years.

Step seven: the principal for (f). \( P = \dfrac{396}{0.055 \times 2} = \dfrac{396}{0.11} = 3600 \) dollars.

Step eight: state the answers. Interest \$1,080 and total \$9,080; \$540 for 18 months; a rate of 6 percent; 2.5 years; and a principal of \$3,600. Each result checks by substituting back into \( I = Prt \).

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the simple interest on \$1,200 at 5 percent for 2 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1200 \times 0.05 \times 2 = 120 \). \$120.00

  2. Find the total amount after 2 years on that loan.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1200 + 120 = 1320 \). \$1,320.00

  3. Find the simple interest on \$3,000 at 6 percent for 9 months.
    Show the full solution

    Nine months is \( \dfrac{9}{12} = 0.75 \) of a year: \( 3000 \times 0.06 \times 0.75 = 135 \). \$135.00

  4. Find the simple interest on \$500 at 4 percent for 90 days.
    Show the full solution

    \( t = \dfrac{90}{365} = 0.24658 \), and \( 500 \times 0.04 \times 0.24658 = 4.93 \). \$4.93

  5. Find the rate if \$2,000 earns \$180 in 3 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( r = \dfrac{180}{2000 \times 3} = 0.03 \). 3 percent

  6. Find the time for \$4,000 at 4.5 percent to earn \$360.
    Show the full solution

    \( t = \dfrac{360}{4000 \times 0.045} = \dfrac{360}{180} = 2 \). 2 years

  7. Find the principal that earns \$270 at 3 percent in 2.5 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( P = \dfrac{270}{0.03 \times 2.5} = \dfrac{270}{0.075} = 3600 \). \$3,600.00

  8. \$5,000 grows to \$5,600 in 2 years at simple interest. Find the annual rate.
    Show the full solution

    Interest is \( 5600 - 5000 = 600 \), and \( r = \dfrac{600}{5000 \times 2} = 0.06 \). 6 percent

  9. A borrower takes \$2,500 at 12 percent simple interest for 6 months. Find the amount repaid.
    Show the full solution

    \( I = 2500 \times 0.12 \times 0.5 = 150 \), and \( A = 2500 + 150 = 2650 \). \$2,650.00

  10. A student finds the interest on \$8,000 at 4.5 percent for 18 months as \( 8000 \times 0.045 \times 18 = 6480 \). Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    The rate is annual, so the time must be in years: 18 months is 1.5 years. The correct interest is \( 8000 \times 0.045 \times 1.5 = 540 \). The student's answer is 12 times too large, and more than the principal itself. \$540.00

Lesson 4.2 · Unit 4 · F-LE.1-2, A-SSE.3

Interest that earns interest

Compound interest adds each period's interest to the balance, so the next period's interest is figured on a larger amount. The effect is small at first and enormous over decades. This is the single most important formula in personal finance, because it works for you in a savings account and against you in a debt.

The method
  1. The compound interest formula is \( A = P\left(1 + \dfrac{r}{n}\right)^{nt} \). \( P \) is the principal, \( r \) the annual rate as a decimal, \( n \) the number of compounding periods a year, and \( t \) the years.
  2. The rate per period is \( \dfrac{r}{n} \) and the number of periods is \( nt \). The two must be in the same unit: the period.
  3. Each period multiplies the balance by \( 1 + \dfrac{r}{n} \). At 4.5 percent annually the factor is 1.045.
  4. Interest earned is \( A - P \). It is larger than simple interest on the same terms.
  5. The difference is interest on interest. Simple interest on \$8,000 for 3 years at 4.5 percent is \$1,080. Compounding gives \$1,129.33, a difference of \$49.33.
  6. The growth is exponential, not linear. Each year adds more dollars than the year before.
  7. To find the principal needed, divide: \( P = \dfrac{A}{(1 + r/n)^{nt}} \). This is called the present value.
  8. Round only at the end. Keep the full factor through the calculation and round the final amount to the cent.

Where students lose marks: the period mismatch and the misplaced exponent. The exponent is \( nt \), the total number of periods, applied to the whole bracket. Multiplying the rate by the years and adding one, which is the simple interest pattern, gives an answer that is too small.

Worked example

The problem. A deposit of \$8,000 earns 4.5 percent compounded annually for 3 years. (a) Find the balance after each year. (b) Find the interest earned and compare it with simple interest. (c) Find the balance if the interest is compounded monthly instead. (d) Explain why the yearly interest is larger each year.

Step one: name the givens. \( P = 8000 \), \( r = 0.045 \), \( n = 1 \), \( t = 3 \). The yearly factor is \( 1 + 0.045 = 1.045 \).

Step two: year one for (a). \( 8000 \times 1.045 = 8360 \), so the year earns \$360.

Step three: year two. \( 8360 \times 1.045 = 8736.20 \). The year earns \$376.20, which is 4.5 percent of \$8,360.

Step four: year three. \( 8736.20 \times 1.045 = 9129.33 \), earning \$393.13. The formula gives the same result in one step: \( 8000 \times (1.045)^3 = 9129.33 \).

Step five: interest for (b). \( 9129.33 - 8000 = 1129.33 \). Simple interest was \( 8000 \times 0.045 \times 3 = 1080 \), so compounding earned \( 1129.33 - 1080 = 49.33 \) dollars more.

Step six: monthly compounding for (c). The rate per month is \( \dfrac{0.045}{12} = 0.00375 \) and there are \( 12 \times 3 = 36 \) periods: \( 8000 \times (1.00375)^{36} = 9153.98 \).

Step seven: explain for (d). Each year's interest is 4.5 percent of a balance that includes the earlier interest. \$360 is 4.5 percent of \$8,000, \$376.20 is 4.5 percent of \$8,360, and \$393.13 is 4.5 percent of \$8,736.20. The deposit never changes; the balance does.

Step eight: state the answers. Balances of \$8,360.00, \$8,736.20 and \$9,129.33; interest of \$1,129.33, which is \$49.33 more than simple interest; and \$9,153.98 if compounded monthly. Over three years the gap is small. Over thirty it is not: \$5,000 at 7 percent grows to \$38,061.28 compounded, against \$15,500 with simple interest.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the value of \$1,000 at 5 percent compounded annually for 2 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1000 \times (1.05)^2 = 1000 \times 1.1025 = 1102.50 \). \$1,102.50

  2. Find the value of \$2,500 at 4 percent compounded annually for 10 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2500 \times (1.04)^{10} = 2500 \times 1.480244 = 3700.61 \). \$3,700.61

  3. Find the value of \$3,000 at 6 percent compounded monthly for 5 years.
    Show the full solution

    The rate per month is \( \dfrac{0.06}{12} = 0.005 \) and there are 60 periods: \( 3000 \times (1.005)^{60} = 3000 \times 1.348850 = 4046.55 \). \$4,046.55

  4. Find the growth factor for one quarter at 5 percent compounded quarterly.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1 + \dfrac{0.05}{4} = 1.0125 \). 1.0125

  5. Find the interest earned on \$1,500 at 3 percent compounded annually for 4 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1500 \times (1.03)^4 = 1500 \times 1.125509 = 1688.26 \), so the interest is \( 1688.26 - 1500 = 188.26 \). \$188.26

  6. How much must be deposited now at 5 percent compounded annually to have \$10,000 in 8 years?
    Show the full solution

    \( P = \dfrac{10000}{(1.05)^8} = \dfrac{10000}{1.477455} = 6768.39 \). \$6,768.39

  7. Find the value of \$2,000 at 5 percent compounded quarterly for 6 years.
    Show the full solution

    The rate per quarter is 0.0125 and there are 24 periods: \( 2000 \times (1.0125)^{24} = 2000 \times 1.347349 = 2694.70 \). \$2,694.70

  8. Find the value of \$5,000 at 7 percent for 30 years compounded annually, and with simple interest. Find the ratio.
    Show the full solution

    Compound: \( 5000 \times (1.07)^{30} = 5000 \times 7.612255 = 38061.28 \). Simple: \( 5000(1 + 0.07 \times 30) = 15500 \). The ratio is \( \dfrac{38061.28}{15500} = 2.46 \), so compounding gives about two and a half times as much. \$38,061.28 against \$15,500.00

  9. At 8 percent compounded annually, by what factor does money grow in 10 years?
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.08)^{10} = 2.158925 \). Money a little more than doubles in ten years. About 2.16

  10. A student finds the value of \$1,000 at 5 percent for 10 years as \( 1000 \times 1.05 \times 10 = 10{,}500 \). Find the error and the correct value.
    Show the full solution

    The student multiplied by the number of years instead of raising the factor to that power. Each year multiplies the balance by 1.05, so ten years gives \( 1000 \times (1.05)^{10} = 1628.89 \). The wrong answer is more than six times too large. \$1,628.89

Lesson 4.3 · Unit 4 · F-LE.2, A-SSE.3

How often, and where it stops mattering

Compounding more often always earns more, but the extra falls off fast. The limit of compounding every instant is called continuous compounding and uses the number \( e \). Seeing the numbers side by side shows both how much frequency matters and how little of it there is to gain.

The method
  1. The number of periods a year is \( n \): annually 1, semiannually 2, quarterly 4, monthly 12, daily 365.
  2. Use the same formula for each: \( A = P\left(1 + \dfrac{r}{n}\right)^{nt} \).
  3. More frequent compounding earns more, for the same stated rate and time.
  4. The gains shrink. On \$10,000 at 6 percent for 10 years, going from annual to quarterly adds \$231.70, from quarterly to monthly \$53.79, and from monthly to daily only \$26.32.
  5. Continuous compounding is the limit: \( A = Pe^{rt} \), where \( e \approx 2.71828 \).
  6. \( e \) comes from compounding. The value of \( \left(1 + \dfrac1n\right)^n \) rises toward \( e \) as \( n \) grows: 2 at \( n = 1 \), 2.5937 at 10, 2.7048 at 100, 2.7169 at 1000.
  7. Use the \( e^x \) key on the calculator for continuous compounding. The exponent is the product \( rt \), with \( r \) as a decimal.
  8. Frequency is a small effect beside rate and time. Half a point more in rate or a few more years outweighs any change in compounding.

Where students lose marks: the decimal. In \( Pe^{rt} \) the rate must be 0.06, not 6. Entering 6 gives \( e^{60} \), a number with 26 digits, and the answer is absurd. Convert the percent before it goes into any formula.

Worked example

The problem. Find the value of \$10,000 after 10 years at a stated 6 percent when compounded (a) annually, (b) quarterly, (c) monthly, (d) daily, and (e) continuously. Then compare the extremes.

Step one: name the givens. \( P = 10000 \), \( r = 0.06 \), \( t = 10 \). Only \( n \) changes.

Step two: annually, \( n = 1 \), for (a). \( 10000 \times (1.06)^{10} = 17908.48 \).

Step three: quarterly, \( n = 4 \), for (b). The rate per quarter is 0.015 and there are 40 periods: \( 10000 \times (1.015)^{40} = 18140.18 \).

Step four: monthly, \( n = 12 \), for (c). The rate per month is 0.005 and there are 120 periods: \( 10000 \times (1.005)^{120} = 18193.97 \).

Step five: daily, \( n = 365 \), for (d). \( 10000 \times \left(1 + \dfrac{0.06}{365}\right)^{3650} = 18220.29 \).

Step six: continuously for (e). \( 10000 \times e^{0.06 \times 10} = 10000 \times e^{0.6} = 10000 \times 1.822119 = 18221.19 \).

Step seven: compare the extremes. Continuous compounding earns \( 18221.19 - 17908.48 = 312.71 \) dollars more than annual. Of that, \$231.70 came from moving to quarterly. Daily already captures all but 90 cents of the continuous result.

Step eight: state the answers. \$17,908.48; \$18,140.18; \$18,193.97; \$18,220.29; \$18,221.19. The table rises but flattens: the first step up in frequency is worth \$231.70 and each later step is worth less. Compounding more often helps, and helps less each time.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the value of \$3,000 at 4 percent compounded monthly for 6 years.
    Show the full solution

    The rate per month is \( \dfrac{0.04}{12} = 0.003333 \), for 72 periods: \( 3000 \times \left(1 + \dfrac{0.04}{12}\right)^{72} = 3812.23 \). \$3,812.23

  2. Find the value of \$3,000 at 4 percent compounded continuously for 6 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 3000 \times e^{0.04 \times 6} = 3000 \times e^{0.24} = 3000 \times 1.271249 = 3813.75 \). \$3,813.75

  3. Find the value of \$1,000 at 5 percent for 1 year compounded daily, and annually.
    Show the full solution

    Daily: \( 1000 \times \left(1 + \dfrac{0.05}{365}\right)^{365} = 1051.27 \). Annually: \( 1000 \times 1.05 = 1050.00 \). Daily compounding earns \$1.27 more. \$1,051.27 and \$1,050.00

  4. Find the value of \$12,000 at 3.6 percent compounded semiannually for 4 years.
    Show the full solution

    The rate per period is \( \dfrac{0.036}{2} = 0.018 \) and there are 8 periods: \( 12000 \times (1.018)^8 = 13840.87 \). \$13,840.87

  5. Find the value of \$2,000 at 4.5 percent compounded continuously for 8 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2000 \times e^{0.36} = 2000 \times 1.433329 = 2866.66 \). \$2,866.66

  6. Compare \$7,500 at 5 percent for 3 years compounded quarterly and monthly. Find the difference.
    Show the full solution

    Quarterly: \( 7500 \times (1.0125)^{12} = 8705.66 \). Monthly: \( 7500 \times \left(1 + \dfrac{0.05}{12}\right)^{36} = 8711.04 \). The difference is \( 8711.04 - 8705.66 = 5.38 \) dollars over three years. \$5.38 more with monthly

  7. Compute \( \left(1 + \dfrac{1}{1000}\right)^{1000} \) and compare it with \( e \).
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.001)^{1000} = 2.7169 \), slightly below \( e = 2.7183 \). The values climb toward \( e \) as \( n \) grows but never pass it. 2.7169, just under \( e \)

  8. For \$10,000 at 6 percent over 10 years, how much more does daily compounding earn than monthly?
    Show the full solution

    Daily \$18,220.29 minus monthly \$18,193.97 is \$26.32, which is a tiny 0.14 percent of the balance. The jump from annual to monthly is worth \$285.49. \$26.32

  9. Compare \$1,000 for one year at 5 percent compounded continuously with 5.1 percent compounded annually.
    Show the full solution

    Continuous: \( 1000 \times e^{0.05} = 1051.27 \). Annual at 5.1: \( 1000 \times 1.051 = 1051.00 \). Continuous at 5 percent beats a higher stated rate of 5.1 percent compounded once, by \$0.27. Continuous is better by \$0.27

  10. A student puts \( r = 6 \) in \( A = Pe^{rt} \) for \$10,000 over 10 years. Find the error and what answer results.
    Show the full solution

    The rate must be a decimal: 0.06, not 6. The student computed \( 10000 \times e^{60} \), about \( 1.1 \times 10^{30} \) dollars, more money than exists. The correct value is \( 10000 \times e^{0.6} = 18221.19 \). An answer that large is a signal to recheck the decimal. \$18,221.19

Lesson 4.4 · Unit 4 · F-LE.2

The advertised rate and the rate you really pay or earn

Lenders quote one number, the APR, and savers are quoted another, the APY. They describe the same kind of thing, yet they are not the same number. The APY is the effective annual rate after compounding. Seeing it next to the stated rate shows what a card charging 25 percent really costs.

The method
  1. The APR is the stated annual rate before compounding. It is the rate that appears on a loan or credit card.
  2. The APY, or effective annual rate, is what the money really grows by in a year after compounding.
  3. The formula is \( \text{APY} = \left(1 + \dfrac{r}{n}\right)^n - 1 \). This is the same formula used for savings in Lesson 3.4.
  4. When \( n = 1 \) the APY equals the APR. Compounding once a year changes nothing.
  5. The gap grows with the rate. A 5 percent rate compounded monthly adds 0.12 of a point. An 18 percent rate adds 1.56 points.
  6. For a saver the APY is the number to compare. For a borrower, the effective rate is the real cost, even where the law requires only the APR to be shown.
  7. Interest owed on a debt compounds against you. A balance left unpaid grows at the effective rate.
  8. Compare like with like: APY with APY, or APR with APR at the same compounding.

Where students lose marks: reading an APR as what is paid. A credit card with an APR of 24.99 percent compounded monthly charges an effective rate of 28.06 percent. A borrower who plans around 24.99 percent will underestimate the cost.

Worked example

The problem. A credit card has an APR of 24.99 percent compounded monthly. A savings account pays 4.75 percent compounded daily. (a) Find the effective annual rate of the card. (b) Find what \$1,000 of unpaid balance grows to in a year. (c) Find the APY of the savings account. (d) Compare the two.

Step one: name the givens. Card: \( r = 0.2499 \), \( n = 12 \). Savings: \( r = 0.0475 \), \( n = 365 \).

Step two: the card's monthly rate. \( \dfrac{0.2499}{12} = 0.020825 \), or about 2.08 percent a month.

Step three: the effective rate for (a). \( (1.020825)^{12} - 1 = 0.280606 \), so 28.06 percent.

Step four: the growth of \$1,000 for (b). \( 1000 \times 1.280606 = 1280.61 \). If nothing is paid for a year, the \$1,000 becomes \$1,280.61.

Step five: the savings APY for (c). \( \left(1 + \dfrac{0.0475}{365}\right)^{365} - 1 = 0.048643 \), or 4.86 percent.

Step six: compare for (d). The card charges an effective 28.06 percent, which is about \( \dfrac{28.06}{4.86} = 5.8 \) times the savings rate.

Step seven: interpret. A dollar of card debt grows almost six times as fast as a dollar in this savings account. Paying off the card is a guaranteed 28 percent return that no savings account comes close to matching.

Step eight: state the answers. Card effective rate 28.06 percent; \$1,000 grows to \$1,280.61; savings APY 4.86 percent. The APR is a label, and the effective rate is the price.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Round rates to two decimal places.

  1. Find the APY of a 5 percent rate compounded quarterly.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.0125)^4 - 1 = 0.050945 \). 5.09 percent

  2. Find the effective annual rate of an 18 percent APR compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.015)^{12} - 1 = 0.195618 \). 19.56 percent

  3. Find the interest on \$1,000 for a year at 12 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1000 \times (1.01)^{12} = 1126.83 \), so the interest is \$126.83 and the APY is 12.68 percent. \$126.83

  4. Find the APY of 4.75 percent compounded daily.
    Show the full solution

    \( \left(1 + \dfrac{0.0475}{365}\right)^{365} - 1 = 0.048643 \). 4.86 percent

  5. Find the APY of 6 percent compounded annually.
    Show the full solution

    With \( n = 1 \) there is no extra compounding: \( 1.06 - 1 = 0.06 \). 6.00 percent

  6. A loan of \$2,000 at 15 percent compounded monthly is left unpaid for a year. Find the interest owed.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2000 \times (1.0125)^{12} = 2321.51 \), so the interest is \( 2321.51 - 2000 = 321.51 \), an effective rate of 16.08 percent. \$321.51

  7. Which earns more: 7.9 percent compounded semiannually or 7.85 percent compounded monthly?
    Show the full solution

    The first has APY \( (1.0395)^2 - 1 = 8.056 \) percent. The second has APY \( (1.006542)^{12} - 1 = 8.139 \) percent. The monthly account earns more despite its lower stated rate. 7.85 percent monthly (8.14 percent APY)

  8. Compare the effective rates of a 29.99 percent card compounded daily and monthly.
    Show the full solution

    Daily: \( \left(1 + \dfrac{0.2999}{365}\right)^{365} - 1 = 34.96 \) percent. Monthly: \( (1.024992)^{12} - 1 = 34.48 \) percent. Daily compounding costs 0.48 of a point more. 34.96 percent and 34.48 percent

  9. What nominal rate compounded monthly gives an APY of 6 percent?
    Show the full solution

    Solve \( (1 + i)^{12} = 1.06 \): \( i = 1.06^{1/12} - 1 = 0.004868 \). The nominal annual rate is \( 12 \times 0.004868 = 0.05841 \). About 5.84 percent

  10. A student says, "An APR of 12 percent means I pay 12 percent." Use \$1,000 compounded monthly to correct this.
    Show the full solution

    At 1 percent a month, \$1,000 becomes \( 1000 \times (1.01)^{12} = 1126.83 \), so the interest is \$126.83, which is 12.68 percent. The stated 12 percent would be \$120.00. The effective cost is higher than the APR, and the gap widens as the rate rises. The effective rate is 12.68 percent

Lesson 4.5 · Unit 4 · F-LE.4

Solving for the time

Until now the time was given. Often it is the unknown: how long until savings reach a goal, or until a debt doubles. Solving for an exponent needs a new tool, the logarithm, which undoes an exponent the way division undoes multiplication. A shortcut, the rule of 72, gives a good answer in your head.

The method
  1. A logarithm undoes an exponent. If \( b^t = x \), then \( t = \dfrac{\ln x}{\ln b} \), where \( \ln \) is the natural log key on a calculator.
  2. To find the time, set up \( P(1 + r/n)^{nt} = A \), divide by \( P \), take the log of both sides, and solve: \( t = \dfrac{\ln(A/P)}{n \ln(1 + r/n)} \).
  3. The time to double sets \( A/P = 2 \), so \( t = \dfrac{\ln 2}{n\ln(1 + r/n)} \). Annually this is \( \dfrac{\ln 2}{\ln(1 + r)} \).
  4. The rule of 72: divide 72 by the percent rate to estimate the years to double. At 6 percent, \( 72 \div 6 = 12 \) years.
  5. The rule is good for rates from 4 to 12 percent. The exact time at 6 percent is 11.90 years and at 8 percent is 9.01.
  6. Use the percent, not the decimal. Divide 72 by 6, not by 0.06.
  7. The rule reverses: the rate needed to double in \( y \) years is about \( 72 \div y \) percent.
  8. Check the answer by putting the time back into the formula. It should return the target.

Where students lose marks: the decimal in the rule of 72. Dividing 72 by 0.06 gives 1,200 years. The rule uses the rate as a percent number. In the exact formula, the rate is a decimal, and the two are not interchangeable.

Worked example

The problem. (a) Use the rule of 72 to estimate the years for money to double at 6 percent, and find the exact time. (b) Do the same at 9 percent. (c) Find the time for \$5,000 to grow to \$8,000 at 5 percent compounded annually. (d) Find the time to triple at 6 percent.

Step one: the rule at 6 percent for (a). \( \dfrac{72}{6} = 12 \) years.

Step two: the exact time. Solve \( (1.06)^t = 2 \): \( t = \dfrac{\ln 2}{\ln 1.06} = \dfrac{0.693147}{0.058269} = 11.90 \) years. The rule is within 0.1 year.

Step three: the rule at 9 percent for (b). \( \dfrac{72}{9} = 8 \) years.

Step four: the exact time at 9 percent. \( t = \dfrac{\ln 2}{\ln 1.09} = \dfrac{0.693147}{0.086178} = 8.04 \) years.

Step five: set up (c). Solve \( 5000(1.05)^t = 8000 \). Divide by 5000 to get \( (1.05)^t = 1.6 \).

Step six: solve. \( t = \dfrac{\ln 1.6}{\ln 1.05} = \dfrac{0.470004}{0.048790} = 9.63 \) years. Check: \( 5000 \times (1.05)^{9.63} = 8000 \).

Step seven: tripling for (d). Solve \( (1.06)^t = 3 \): \( t = \dfrac{\ln 3}{\ln 1.06} = \dfrac{1.098612}{0.058269} = 18.85 \) years.

Step eight: state the answers. At 6 percent money doubles in about 12 years (exactly 11.90); at 9 percent in about 8 years (exactly 8.04); \$5,000 reaches \$8,000 in 9.63 years; and money triples in 18.85 years at 6 percent. Since money doubles every 12 years, it quadruples in 24: the pattern is one of repeated doubling.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Use the rule of 72 to estimate the years to double at 4 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{72}{4} = 18 \). 18 years

  2. Use the rule of 72 to estimate the years to double at 9 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{72}{9} = 8 \). 8 years

  3. What rate doubles money in 6 years, by the rule of 72?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{72}{6} = 12 \). 12 percent

  4. Find the exact time for money to double at 7 percent compounded annually.
    Show the full solution

    \( t = \dfrac{\ln 2}{\ln 1.07} = \dfrac{0.693147}{0.067659} = 10.24 \). The rule gives \( 72 \div 7 = 10.29 \). 10.24 years

  5. Find the time for \$12,000 to grow to \$20,000 at 4.5 percent compounded annually.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.045)^t = \dfrac{20000}{12000} = 1.6667 \), so \( t = \dfrac{\ln 1.6667}{\ln 1.045} = \dfrac{0.510826}{0.044017} = 11.61 \). 11.61 years

  6. Find the time for \$2,500 to grow to \$4,000 at 6 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.005)^{12t} = 1.6 \), so \( 12t = \dfrac{\ln 1.6}{\ln 1.005} = \dfrac{0.470004}{0.004988} = 94.23 \) months. Then \( t = \dfrac{94.23}{12} = 7.85 \) years. 7.85 years

  7. Estimate and then find exactly the time to quadruple at 6 percent compounded annually.
    Show the full solution

    Quadrupling is two doublings, so the estimate is \( 2 \times 12 = 24 \) years. Exactly, \( t = \dfrac{\ln 4}{\ln 1.06} = \dfrac{1.386294}{0.058269} = 23.79 \). About 24 years; exactly 23.79 years

  8. Find the time for money to double at 5 percent compounded continuously.
    Show the full solution

    Solve \( e^{0.05t} = 2 \): \( t = \dfrac{\ln 2}{0.05} = 13.86 \). 13.86 years

  9. Compare the rule of 72 with the exact doubling time at 3 percent.
    Show the full solution

    The rule gives \( 72 \div 3 = 24 \) years. The exact time is \( \dfrac{\ln 2}{\ln 1.03} = 23.45 \) years. The rule is off by about half a year, a 2.3 percent overestimate. 24 years against 23.45 years

  10. A student estimates the time to double at 6 percent as \( 72 \div 0.06 = 1200 \) years. Find the error and the correct estimate.
    Show the full solution

    The rule of 72 takes the rate as a percent number, so it is \( 72 \div 6 \), not \( 72 \div 0.06 \). The correct estimate is 12 years. An answer of 1,200 years is absurd for a 6 percent account and should trigger a check of the units. 12 years

Lesson 4.6 · Unit 4 · F-LE.1

Why a dollar buys less every year

Inflation is compound interest working against you. Prices rise by a percent each year, and each year's rise applies to the price after the last. Money that does not grow at least as fast as prices buys less each year, even though the number on the statement has not changed.

The method
  1. The inflation rate is the yearly percent rise in a typical basket of goods. Write it as a decimal \( i \).
  2. A future price is \( P(1 + i)^t \). A \$100 basket at 3 percent for 20 years costs \$180.61.
  3. Buying power falls by the same factor. A dollar's worth in \( t \) years is \( \dfrac{1}{(1 + i)^t} \) of a dollar today. \$10,000 kept for 20 years at 3 percent buys what \$5,536.76 buys today.
  4. A nominal amount is the number on the statement. A real amount is what it buys, expressed in today's dollars.
  5. To convert a future amount to today's dollars, divide by \( (1 + i)^t \).
  6. The real interest rate is \( \dfrac{1 + r}{1 + i} - 1 \), the growth in buying power. Nominal 4.5 percent with 3 percent inflation is 1.46 percent real, not exactly 1.5.
  7. A real rate can be negative. An account paying 1.5 percent when prices rise 3 percent loses 1.46 percent of its buying power each year.
  8. Pay has to keep pace. A raise smaller than inflation is a cut in buying power.

Where students lose marks: treating the nominal amount as the real one. A balance of \$24,117 in twenty years is not \$24,117 of today's buying power. Always ask whether a future figure is in future dollars or today's dollars before comparing it with a goal.

Worked example

The problem. Inflation averages 3 percent. (a) Find what a \$100 basket costs in 20 years. (b) Find the buying power, in today's dollars, of \$10,000 kept in cash for 20 years. (c) An account pays 4.5 percent compounded annually. Find its value after 20 years and that value in today's dollars. (d) Find the real rate of return.

Step one: name the givens. \( i = 0.03 \), \( t = 20 \). The account has \( r = 0.045 \).

Step two: the future price for (a). \( 100 \times (1.03)^{20} = 100 \times 1.806111 = 180.61 \).

Step three: buying power for (b). \( \dfrac{10000}{(1.03)^{20}} = \dfrac{10000}{1.806111} = 5536.76 \). The cash buys about 55 percent of what it buys now.

Step four: the account value for (c). \( 10000 \times (1.045)^{20} = 10000 \times 2.411714 = 24117.14 \).

Step five: convert to today's dollars. \( \dfrac{24117.14}{1.806111} = 13353.08 \).

Step six: the real rate for (d). \( \dfrac{1.045}{1.03} - 1 = 0.014563 \), or 1.46 percent.

Step seven: check. Growing \$10,000 at the real rate gives \( 10000 \times (1.014563)^{20} = 13353.08 \), the same figure as step five. The two methods agree.

Step eight: state the answers. The basket costs \$180.61; the cash buys \$5,536.76 worth; the account reaches \$24,117.14 in future dollars, worth \$13,353.08 in today's; the real rate is 1.46 percent. A saver earning 4.5 percent feels like a winner and is in fact gaining 1.46 percent a year.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. An item costs \$40 today. Find the price in 10 years at 3 percent inflation.
    Show the full solution

    \( 40 \times (1.03)^{10} = 40 \times 1.343916 = 53.76 \). \$53.76

  2. A car costs \$25,000. Find the price in 5 years at 2.5 percent inflation.
    Show the full solution

    \( 25000 \times (1.025)^5 = 25000 \times 1.131408 = 28285.21 \). \$28,285.21

  3. Find the buying power, in today's dollars, of \$500 received in 15 years at 2 percent inflation.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{500}{(1.02)^{15}} = \dfrac{500}{1.345868} = 371.51 \). \$371.51

  4. Find the real rate when the nominal rate is 3 percent and inflation is 2 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1.03}{1.02} - 1 = 0.009804 \). 0.98 percent

  5. College costs \$12,000 a year and rise 4 percent a year. Find the cost in 8 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 12000 \times (1.04)^8 = 12000 \times 1.368569 = 16422.83 \). \$16,422.83

  6. A salary of \$50,000 does not change for 10 years while inflation is 2.5 percent. Find the salary's buying power in today's dollars at the end.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{50000}{(1.025)^{10}} = \dfrac{50000}{1.280085} = 39059.92 \). The worker has taken a cut of about 22 percent in buying power. \$39,059.92

  7. Inflation this year was 3.2 percent. What salary does a \$48,000 worker need next year to keep the same buying power?
    Show the full solution

    \( 48000 \times 1.032 = 49536 \). \$49,536

  8. An account pays 1.5 percent while inflation is 3 percent. Find the real rate.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1.015}{1.03} - 1 = -0.014563 \). The balance rises but its buying power falls 1.46 percent a year. Negative 1.46 percent

  9. By the rule of 72, in how many years do prices double at 3 percent inflation?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{72}{3} = 24 \) years. A basket that costs \$100 today costs about \$200 then. 24 years

  10. A student keeps \$10,000 in a drawer for 20 years and says, "It is the same \$10,000, so nothing is lost." Find the error using 3 percent inflation.
    Show the full solution

    The number of dollars is unchanged, but what they buy is not. At 3 percent inflation the \$10,000 buys what \( \dfrac{10000}{(1.03)^{20}} = 5536.76 \) buys today. The loss in buying power is \( 10000 - 5536.76 = 4463.24 \) dollars. A loss of \$4,463.24 in buying power

Lesson 4.7 · Unit 4 · F-LE.2

Choosing between offers that look alike

This lesson collects the unit into a procedure. When several accounts compete, the stated rates hide the answer, so convert every one to the APY, compute the balances, and subtract any fees and penalties. The account with the highest stated rate is not always the best.

The method
  1. List the terms of each account: stated rate, compounding, fees, minimum balance and any penalty.
  2. Convert each to APY with \( \left(1 + \dfrac{r}{n}\right)^n - 1 \).
  3. Rank by APY. This ranks the accounts for any amount and any time.
  4. Compute the balance for the actual amount and time with \( P(1 + \text{APY})^t \).
  5. Subtract the fees and any cost of meeting the minimum balance.
  6. A certificate of deposit (CD) locks the money for a term. Withdrawing early usually costs a penalty of a number of months' interest.
  7. Compare the net gain in dollars. The difference between the best and next-best account is the price of a wrong choice.
  8. Decide with the liquidity in mind. A slightly lower rate on money you can withdraw freely can be worth more than a higher rate on money locked up.

Where students lose marks: comparing the stated rates. An account at 4.95 percent compounded daily beats one at 5.00 percent compounded annually, because its APY is 5.07 percent. Convert first, compare second.

Worked example

The problem. A saver has \$15,000 for 5 years and compares four accounts. A: 4.2 percent compounded monthly. B: 4.3 percent compounded semiannually. C: 4.25 percent compounded quarterly. D: 4.24 percent compounded annually. (a) Find each APY. (b) Find each balance after 5 years. (c) State the best and the gap to the worst.

Step one: name the givens. \( P = 15000 \), \( t = 5 \). The stated rates and \( n \) are 4.2 and 12, 4.3 and 2, 4.25 and 4, 4.24 and 1.

Step two: APY of A. \( (1.0035)^{12} - 1 = 0.042818 \), so 4.28 percent.

Step three: APY of B. \( (1.0215)^2 - 1 = 0.043462 \), so 4.35 percent.

Step four: APY of C and D. C: \( (1.010625)^4 - 1 = 0.043182 \), or 4.32 percent. D: \( n = 1 \), so 4.24 percent.

Step five: rank. B (4.35) beats C (4.32), which beats A (4.28), which beats D (4.24). The ranking by stated rate would be B, C, D, A, putting A and D in the wrong order.

Step six: the balances for (b). A: \$18,498.39. B: \$18,555.60. C: \$18,530.71. D: \$18,461.34. For example, B is \( 15000 \times (1.0215)^{10} = 18555.60 \).

Step seven: the gap for (c). The best is B, and it beats the worst, D, by \( 18555.60 - 18461.34 = 94.26 \) dollars over five years.

Step eight: state the answer. B is best at 4.35 percent APY and \$18,555.60, which is \$94.26 more than D. A saver who read only the stated rates would have ranked D above A and might have chosen badly if fees or terms differed. The right comparison is APY against APY, with fees subtracted.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the APY of 3.9 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( \left(1 + \dfrac{0.039}{12}\right)^{12} - 1 = (1.00325)^{12} - 1 = 0.039705 \). 3.97 percent

  2. Compare \$12,000 for 3 years at 4.1 percent compounded quarterly with 4.12 percent compounded annually.
    Show the full solution

    Quarterly: \( 12000 \times (1.01025)^{12} = 13562.12 \). Annual: \( 12000 \times (1.0412)^3 = 13545.15 \). The quarterly account earns \$16.97 more. \$13,562.12 against \$13,545.15

  3. An account with a \$60 annual fee pays 4.5 percent APY on \$5,000. Find the net gain and the net rate.
    Show the full solution

    Interest \( 5000 \times 0.045 = 225 \). Net \( 225 - 60 = 165 \). The net rate is \( \dfrac{165}{5000} \times 100 = 3.3 \) percent. \$165.00; 3.30 percent

  4. An account requires a \$10,000 minimum and pays 4.6 percent APY. Find the interest for one year.
    Show the full solution

    \( 10000 \times 0.046 = 460 \). \$460.00

  5. Find the value of \$7,000 at 4.4 percent compounded monthly for 3 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 7000 \times \left(1 + \dfrac{0.044}{12}\right)^{36} = 7000 \times 1.140833 = 7985.83 \). \$7,985.83

  6. A two-year CD pays 4.8 percent APY. Find the value of an \$8,000 deposit at the end.
    Show the full solution

    \( 8000 \times (1.048)^2 = 8000 \times 1.098304 = 8786.43 \). \$8,786.43

  7. That CD charges an early-withdrawal penalty of three months' interest at the stated rate. Find the penalty on \$8,000 at 4.8 percent.
    Show the full solution

    Three months is a quarter of a year: \( 8000 \times 0.048 \times 0.25 = 96 \). \$96.00

  8. If the saver cashes out the CD at the end of the term and pays the penalty, find the net gain.
    Show the full solution

    Gain before the penalty: \( 8786.43 - 8000 = 786.43 \). After the penalty: \( 786.43 - 96 = 690.43 \). If the account is held to the term, the penalty does not apply; it is charged only on an early withdrawal. \$690.43 with the penalty

  9. Compare \$6,000 for 3 years at 4.1 percent compounded monthly with 4.15 percent compounded annually.
    Show the full solution

    Monthly: \( 6000 \times \left(1 + \dfrac{0.041}{12}\right)^{36} = 6783.88 \). Annual: \( 6000 \times (1.0415)^3 = 6778.43 \). The monthly account wins by \$5.45 despite a lower stated rate. 4.1 percent monthly, by \$5.45

  10. A student chooses 5.00 percent compounded annually over 4.95 percent compounded daily because "5.00 is higher." Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    The APY of 4.95 percent compounded daily is \( \left(1 + \dfrac{0.0495}{365}\right)^{365} - 1 = 5.0742 \) percent, which exceeds 5.00 percent. On \$10,000 for a year the gap is \$7.42. The stated rates cannot be compared when compounding differs; only APYs can. 4.95 percent daily is better (5.07 percent APY)

Unit 4 review · 10 problems · all lessons

Unit 4 review: Simple and Compound Interest

These are shuffled across all seven lessons. Before any compound problem, match the rate and the number of periods to the same unit.

  1. Find the simple interest on \$4,500 at 3.2% for 5 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( I = Prt = 4500(0.032)(5) \). \$720

  2. Find the simple interest on \$2,400 at 6% for 9 months.
    Show the full solution

    Convert the time to years: \( t = \dfrac{9}{12} = 0.75 \). \( 2400(0.06)(0.75) \). \$108

  3. Find the value of \$7,500 at 4% compounded annually for 12 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 7500(1.04)^{12} = 7500(1.601032) \). \$12,007.74

  4. Find the value of \$12,000 at 3.6% compounded monthly for 8 years.
    Show the full solution

    Monthly rate \( 0.036 \div 12 = 0.003 \); periods \( 8(12) = 96 \). \( 12000(1.003)^{96} = 12000(1.333182) \). \$15,998.19

  5. Find the value of \$5,000 at 3% compounded continuously for 10 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( A = Pe^{rt} = 5000e^{0.3} = 5000(1.349859) \). \$6,749.29

  6. A card advertises 6% compounded monthly. Find the APY.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.005)^{12} = 1.061678 \), so APY is \( 0.061678 \). about 6.168%

  7. Use the rule of 72 to estimate the doubling time at 6% compounded annually, then find the exact time.
    Show the full solution

    Rule: \( 72 \div 6 = 12 \). Exact: \( 1.06^t = 2 \), so \( t = \dfrac{\ln 2}{\ln 1.06} = \dfrac{0.693147}{0.058269} \). about 12 years by the rule; 11.9 years exactly

  8. A basket of groceries costs \$40 today and prices rise 2.5% a year. Find its cost in 15 years, and the purchasing power of \$10,000 then.
    Show the full solution

    Cost \( 40(1.025)^{15} = 40(1.448298) \). Purchasing power \( \dfrac{10000}{1.448298} \). \$57.93; \$10,000 buys what \$6,904.66 buys today

  9. Account A pays 4.5% compounded quarterly; account B pays 4.55% compounded annually. Compare \$10,000 in each after 10 years.
    Show the full solution

    A: \( 10000(1.01125)^{40} = 10000(1.564377) = 15{,}643.77 \). B: \( 10000(1.0455)^{10} = 10000(1.560416) = 15{,}604.16 \). A's APY is about 4.577%, which is above 4.55%. A is worth \$15,643.77 and B is worth \$15,604.16; A wins by \$39.61

  10. A student finds \$3,000 at 6% compounded monthly for 5 years as \( 3000(1.06)^{60} \). Find the error and the right answer.
    Show the full solution

    The rate and the periods must match. Monthly compounding needs \( 0.06 \div 12 = 0.005 \) per period. \( 3000(1.005)^{60} = 3000(1.348850) \). The student's number is 98,963.07, absurdly large. \$4,046.55, not \$98,963.07

Lesson 5.1 · Unit 5 · A-SSE.4

Saving a little each month

Almost nobody saves a lump sum. People save from each paycheck, and every deposit starts earning from the day it is made, so the first deposit grows for years and the last for not at all. The total is a sum of growing amounts, and a single formula adds them all at once.

The method
  1. A regular deposit \( D \) is made at the end of each period. This is called an ordinary annuity.
  2. The rate per period is \( i = \dfrac{r}{m} \) and the number of deposits is \( n = mt \), where \( m \) is deposits per year.
  3. Each deposit grows for a different length of time. The first grows for \( n - 1 \) periods and the last not at all.
  4. The future value is the sum of those growing deposits: \( FV = D\left[\dfrac{(1 + i)^n - 1}{i}\right] \).
  5. The bracket is the annuity factor. For \( i = 0.005 \) and \( n = 120 \) it is 163.88, so every dollar of monthly deposit becomes \$163.88.
  6. Contributions are \( D \times n \). Interest is the future value minus the contributions.
  7. Match the period of the deposit to the compounding. This lesson assumes deposits and compounding are on the same schedule.
  8. Check the size. The future value must exceed the contributions, and it must be less than the contributions times \( (1 + i)^n \).

Where students lose marks: the period mismatch and the lump sum habit. Applying \( P(1 + r/n)^{nt} \) to the total of the deposits grows money that was not yet deposited. The formula above treats each deposit separately, growing only for the time it was actually in the account.

Worked example

The problem. A worker deposits \$200 at the end of each month for 10 years into an account paying 6 percent compounded monthly. (a) Find the rate per period and the number of deposits. (b) Find the future value. (c) Find the total contributions and the interest. (d) Find what the first deposit has grown to.

Step one: name the givens. \( D = 200 \), \( r = 0.06 \), \( m = 12 \), \( t = 10 \).

Step two: the period quantities for (a). \( i = \dfrac{0.06}{12} = 0.005 \) and \( n = 12 \times 10 = 120 \).

Step three: the annuity factor. \( \dfrac{(1.005)^{120} - 1}{0.005} = \dfrac{0.819397}{0.005} = 163.8793 \).

Step four: the future value for (b). \( 200 \times 163.8793 = 32{,}775.87 \) dollars.

Step five: contributions and interest for (c). Contributions are \( 200 \times 120 = 24{,}000 \). Interest is \( 32775.87 - 24000 = 8775.87 \), about 27 percent of the final balance.

Step six: the first deposit for (d). It earns interest for 119 months: \( 200 \times (1.005)^{119} = 362.07 \) dollars. The last deposit, made on the final day, has earned nothing and is still \$200.

Step seven: check. The first deposit grew to \$362.07, the last stayed at \$200, so the average deposit grew by a factor between 1 and 1.81. The total, \$32,775.87, is between \$24,000 and \( 24000 \times 1.819397 = 43665.53 \). It passes.

Step eight: state the answers. The account holds \$32,775.87. The worker put in \$24,000, and the account earned \$8,775.87. The formula replaces 120 separate compound interest calculations with one.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Deposits are at the end of each period and compounding matches the deposits.

  1. Find the future value of \$100 deposited monthly for 5 years at 6 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.005 \), \( n = 60 \). The factor is \( \dfrac{(1.005)^{60} - 1}{0.005} = 69.7700 \), so \( 100 \times 69.7700 = 6977.00 \). \$6,977.00

  2. Find the future value of \$500 deposited quarterly for 10 years at 4 percent compounded quarterly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.01 \), \( n = 40 \). The factor is \( \dfrac{(1.01)^{40} - 1}{0.01} = 48.8864 \), and \( 500 \times 48.8864 = 24443.19 \). \$24,443.19

  3. Find the future value of \$250 deposited monthly for 20 years at 3 percent compounded monthly, and the interest earned.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.0025 \), \( n = 240 \). Future value \( 250 \times \dfrac{(1.0025)^{240} - 1}{0.0025} = 82075.50 \). Contributions are \( 250 \times 240 = 60000 \), so the interest is \$22,075.50. \$82,075.50; interest \$22,075.50

  4. Find the future value of \$1,200 deposited once a year for 25 years at 5 percent compounded annually.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1200 \times \dfrac{(1.05)^{25} - 1}{0.05} = 1200 \times 47.7271 = 57272.52 \). \$57,272.52

  5. A saver deposits \$100 a month for 5 years in an account that pays no interest. Find the balance.
    Show the full solution

    With no interest, the balance is the contributions: \( 100 \times 60 = 6000 \). The interest-bearing account in problem 1 held \$977 more. \$6,000.00

  6. Find the future value of \$200 a month for 30 years at 8 percent compounded monthly, and the share that is interest.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = \dfrac{0.08}{12} \), \( n = 360 \). \( 200 \times \dfrac{(1.006667)^{360} - 1}{0.006667} = 298071.89 \). Contributions are \( 200 \times 360 = 72000 \), so interest is \( 226071.89 \), which is \( \dfrac{226071.89}{298071.89} = 75.8 \) percent of the balance. \$298,071.89; about three quarters is interest

  7. Which gives more at 6 percent compounded monthly: doubling the deposit to \$400 a month for 10 years, or keeping \$200 a month for 20 years?
    Show the full solution

    Doubling the deposit doubles the result of the \$200 case: \( 2 \times 32775.87 = 65551.74 \). Doubling the time gives \( 200 \times \dfrac{(1.005)^{240} - 1}{0.005} = 92408.18 \). Time wins, because the earlier deposits have many years to compound. \$200 for 20 years: \$92,408.18, against \$65,551.74

  8. Four deposits of \$1,000 are made at the end of each year at 10 percent compounded annually. Add up the growth of each deposit and check against the formula.
    Show the full solution

    The first grows for 3 years: \( 1000 \times 1.331 = 1331 \). The second for 2 years: 1210. The third for one year: 1100. The fourth not at all: 1000. The sum is \( 1331 + 1210 + 1100 + 1000 = 4641 \). The formula gives \( 1000 \times \dfrac{(1.1)^4 - 1}{0.1} = 4641 \). \$4,641.00

  9. What is the annuity factor for \( i = 0.005 \) and \( n = 120 \), and what does it mean?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{(1.005)^{120} - 1}{0.005} = 163.88 \). It means that each dollar deposited monthly for 10 years at this rate becomes \$163.88, although only \$120 was put in. 163.88

  10. A student estimates the future value of \$200 a month for 10 years at 6 percent as \( 200 \times 120 \times 1.005 = 24{,}120 \). Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    The student added one month of interest to the total contributions. Each deposit earns interest for every month it stays in the account, which is up to 119 months. The correct value is \( 200 \times 163.8793 = 32775.87 \). The estimate is about \$8,650 too low. \$32,775.87

Lesson 5.2 · Unit 5 · F-LE.2

What a future dollar is worth today

Money today can be invested, so money later is worth less than the same amount now. Present value runs compound interest backward: it asks how much must be set aside today to equal a future sum. It is the tool for comparing payments that arrive at different times.

The method
  1. The present value (PV) of a future amount \( A \) is the amount that, invested now at the given rate, grows to \( A \).
  2. The formula is \( PV = \dfrac{A}{\left(1 + \dfrac{r}{n}\right)^{nt}} \). It is the compound interest formula solved for \( P \).
  3. The rate used is called the discount rate. It is the return available on other uses of the money.
  4. A higher rate makes the present value smaller, since the same future sum needs less to start.
  5. A longer wait makes the present value smaller, for the same reason.
  6. To compare two payments, bring both to the same date. Present value puts them on today's date.
  7. The larger present value is the better offer.
  8. The present value is not the future amount minus interest. It is the future amount divided by the growth factor.

Where students lose marks: the wrong operation. Subtracting simple interest from the future amount, for example \$1,000 minus two years at 5 percent, gives \$900. The correct present value is \$1,000 divided by \( (1.05)^2 \), which is \$907.03. The division is the inverse of the multiplication used to grow the money.

Worked example

The problem. (a) How much must be invested now at 5 percent compounded annually to have \$20,000 in 10 years? (b) Find it with monthly compounding. (c) A buyer offers \$1,000 in two years or \$900 today. At 5 percent, which is better? (d) Does the answer change at 8 percent?

Step one: name the givens for (a). \( A = 20000 \), \( r = 0.05 \), \( n = 1 \), \( t = 10 \).

Step two: divide by the growth factor. \( PV = \dfrac{20000}{(1.05)^{10}} = \dfrac{20000}{1.628895} = 12{,}278.27 \).

Step three: monthly compounding for (b). The rate per month is \( \dfrac{0.05}{12} \) and there are 120 periods: \( \dfrac{20000}{(1.004167)^{120}} = \dfrac{20000}{1.647009} = 12{,}143.22 \). Monthly compounding does more of the work, so less is needed at the start.

Step four: the offer at 5 percent for (c). \( PV = \dfrac{1000}{(1.05)^2} = \dfrac{1000}{1.1025} = 907.03 \).

Step five: compare. The promised \$1,000 is worth \$907.03 today, which beats \$900. Waiting for the \$1,000 is better by \$7.03.

Step six: the offer at 8 percent for (d). \( \dfrac{1000}{(1.08)^2} = \dfrac{1000}{1.1664} = 857.34 \).

Step seven: compare again. At 8 percent the future \$1,000 is worth only \$857.34, so \$900 today is better by \$42.66. The decision depends on what the money could earn elsewhere.

Step eight: state the answers. \$12,278.27 (annual) or \$12,143.22 (monthly); take the \$1,000 at 5 percent and the \$900 at 8 percent. Higher rates shrink the present value, and the break-even rate where the two offers tie is about 5.41 percent.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the present value of \$10,000 due in 5 years at 4 percent compounded annually.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{10000}{(1.04)^5} = \dfrac{10000}{1.216653} = 8219.27 \). \$8,219.27

  2. Find the present value of \$5,000 due in 3 years at 6 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{5000}{(1.005)^{36}} = \dfrac{5000}{1.196681} = 4178.22 \). \$4,178.22

  3. Find the present value of \$8,000 due in 10 years at 7 percent compounded annually.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{8000}{(1.07)^{10}} = \dfrac{8000}{1.967151} = 4066.79 \). \$4,066.79

  4. Find the present value of \$1,000 due in one year at 10 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1000}{1.10} = 909.09 \). \$909.09

  5. How much must be invested now at 4.5 percent compounded annually to have \$25,000 in 12 years?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{25000}{(1.045)^{12}} = \dfrac{25000}{1.695881} = 14741.60 \). \$14,741.60

  6. You can have \$50,000 now or \$60,000 in 4 years. At 5 percent compounded annually, which is better, and by how much in today's dollars?
    Show the full solution

    The present value of \$60,000 is \( \dfrac{60000}{(1.05)^4} = 49362.15 \). That is \$637.85 less than \$50,000, so take the \$50,000 now. \$50,000 now, by \$637.85

  7. An offer pays \$12,000 in 6 years, or \$9,000 now. At 6 percent compounded annually, which is better?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{12000}{(1.06)^6} = \dfrac{12000}{1.418519} = 8459.53 \). This is less than \$9,000, so the \$9,000 now is better. \$9,000 now

  8. Find the annual rate at which \$900 now equals \$1,000 in two years.
    Show the full solution

    Solve \( 900(1 + r)^2 = 1000 \): \( (1 + r)^2 = 1.1111 \), so \( 1 + r = 1.054093 \) and \( r = 5.41 \) percent. 5.41 percent

  9. Find the present value of \$10,000 due in 10 years at 3 percent and at 9 percent, and say what the difference shows.
    Show the full solution

    At 3 percent: \( \dfrac{10000}{(1.03)^{10}} = 7440.94 \). At 9 percent: \( \dfrac{10000}{(1.09)^{10}} = 4224.11 \). The higher rate makes the present value much smaller, since a smaller deposit reaches the same target. \$7,440.94 and \$4,224.11

  10. A student says the present value of \$1,000 in 2 years at 5 percent is \( 1000 - 2 \times 50 = 900 \). Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    The student subtracted simple interest on the future amount. The present value is the amount that would grow to \$1,000, and it earns interest on itself, so it is found by dividing: \( \dfrac{1000}{1.1025} = 907.03 \). Check: \( 907.03 \times 1.1025 = 1000 \). \$907.03

Lesson 5.3 · Unit 5 · A-SSE.4, A-CED.4

Working backward from the amount you need

A goal has a target and a deadline, and the question is how much to save each month. That is the future value formula solved for the deposit. Interest does part of the work, so the deposit is smaller than the target divided by the number of months, and how much smaller depends on the rate and the time.

The method
  1. Start from the future value formula: \( FV = D\left[\dfrac{(1 + i)^n - 1}{i}\right] \).
  2. Solve for \( D \): \( D = \dfrac{FV \cdot i}{(1 + i)^n - 1} \). The result is the deposit that reaches the target exactly.
  3. Find \( i \) and \( n \) first: \( i = r/m \) and \( n = mt \), with the deposit period matching the compounding.
  4. Round the deposit up. Rounding down leaves the goal slightly short.
  5. A starting balance helps. Grow the balance with \( P(1 + i)^n \), subtract it from the goal, and save for the difference.
  6. A longer time lowers the deposit. The same goal takes less each month over more months, and more of the final amount comes from interest.
  7. A higher rate lowers the deposit, but by less than a longer time does at savings-account rates.
  8. Check by substituting. Put the deposit back in the future value formula and confirm that it returns the goal.

Where students lose marks: the division shortcut. Dividing the goal by the number of months, \$30,000 over 96 months, ignores the interest and gives a deposit that is too large. It is safe but wasteful, and it shows the plan as out of reach when it is not.

Worked example

The problem. A family wants \$30,000 in 8 years for a down payment and saves in an account paying 4.8 percent compounded monthly. (a) Find the monthly deposit. (b) Find the total contributions and the interest. (c) Check the result. (d) Find what the deposit would be over 10 years.

Step one: name the givens. \( FV = 30000 \), \( i = \dfrac{0.048}{12} = 0.004 \), \( n = 12 \times 8 = 96 \).

Step two: the growth factor. \( (1.004)^{96} = 1.467021 \), so \( (1.004)^{96} - 1 = 0.467021 \).

Step three: solve for the deposit for (a). \( D = \dfrac{30000 \times 0.004}{0.467021} = \dfrac{120}{0.467021} = 256.95 \) dollars a month.

Step four: contributions for (b). \( 256.95 \times 96 = 24{,}666.97 \) dollars. The interest is \( 30000 - 24666.97 = 5333.03 \).

Step five: check for (c). The annuity factor is \( \dfrac{0.467021}{0.004} = 116.7553 \), and \( 256.95 \times 116.7553 = 30{,}000.28 \). The result is 28 cents over the goal because the deposit was rounded up to the cent, which is the safe direction.

Step six: the 10-year deposit for (d). With \( n = 120 \), \( (1.004)^{120} = 1.614528 \), and the deposit is \( D = \dfrac{30000 \times 0.004}{(1.004)^{120} - 1} = 195.27 \) dollars.

Step seven: compare. Two more years cut the deposit by \( 256.95 - 195.27 = 61.68 \) dollars a month, about 24 percent, while adding 24 months of saving.

Step eight: state the answers. Save \$256.95 a month for 8 years, putting in \$24,666.97 and earning \$5,333.03. A 10-year plan needs \$195.27 a month. The shortcut of \( \dfrac{30000}{96} = 312.50 \) would have asked for \$55.55 a month more than needed.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Deposits are at the end of each period and compounding matches the deposits.

  1. Find the monthly deposit needed to have \$10,000 in 5 years at 6 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.005 \), \( n = 60 \). \( D = \dfrac{10000 \times 0.005}{(1.005)^{60} - 1} = \dfrac{50}{0.348850} = 143.33 \). \$143.33 a month

  2. Find the monthly deposit needed to have \$50,000 in 10 years at 5 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = \dfrac{0.05}{12} \), \( n = 120 \). \( (1.004167)^{120} - 1 = 0.647009 \). \( D = \dfrac{50000 \times 0.004167}{0.647009} = 321.99 \). \$321.99 a month

  3. Find the monthly deposit needed to have \$20,000 in 4 years at 3 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.0025 \), \( n = 48 \). \( (1.0025)^{48} - 1 = 0.127328 \). \( D = \dfrac{20000 \times 0.0025}{0.127328} = \dfrac{50}{0.127328} = 392.69 \). \$392.69 a month

  4. Find the monthly deposit needed to have \$1,000,000 in 40 years at 7 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = \dfrac{0.07}{12} \), \( n = 480 \). \( (1.005833)^{480} - 1 = 15.3114 \). \( D = \dfrac{1000000 \times 0.005833}{15.3114} = 380.98 \). Total contributions are only \( 380.98 \times 480 = 182{,}870 \). \$380.98 a month

  5. Find the quarterly deposit needed to have \$15,000 in 6 years at 4 percent compounded quarterly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.01 \), \( n = 24 \). \( (1.01)^{24} - 1 = 0.269735 \). \( D = \dfrac{15000 \times 0.01}{0.269735} = 556.10 \). \$556.10 a quarter

  6. A saver has \$5,000 now and wants \$30,000 in 4 years at 4.8 percent compounded monthly. Find the monthly deposit.
    Show the full solution

    The \$5,000 grows to \( 5000 \times (1.004)^{48} = 6056.03 \). The deposits must make up \( 30000 - 6056.03 = 23943.97 \). With \( n = 48 \), \( D = \dfrac{23943.97 \times 0.004}{(1.004)^{48} - 1} = 453.47 \). \$453.47 a month

  7. With no interest, how much a month saves \$12,000 in 4 years, and how does 4.8 percent change it?
    Show the full solution

    With no interest, \( \dfrac{12000}{48} = 250 \). At 4.8 percent compounded monthly, \( D = \dfrac{12000 \times 0.004}{(1.004)^{48} - 1} = 227.27 \). Interest lowers the deposit by \$22.73 a month. \$250.00 against \$227.27

  8. A saver deposits \$250 a month for 4 years at 6 percent compounded monthly. Does she reach \$14,000?
    Show the full solution

    \( 250 \times \dfrac{(1.005)^{48} - 1}{0.005} = 250 \times 54.0978 = 13524.46 \). That is \( 14000 - 13524.46 = 475.54 \) short. No: she is \$475.54 short

  9. Find how much a month a saver would need for the \$30,000 goal at 4.8 percent compounded monthly if she had 10 years instead of 8.
    Show the full solution

    \( n = 120 \): \( D = \dfrac{30000 \times 0.004}{(1.004)^{120} - 1} = 195.27 \), against \$256.95 for 8 years, a saving of \$61.68 a month. \$195.27 a month

  10. A student plans for \$30,000 in 96 months by dividing: \( 30000 \div 96 = 312.50 \). Find the error and how much too much that saves.
    Show the full solution

    The division ignores the interest that the deposits earn. At 4.8 percent compounded monthly the deposit that reaches \$30,000 is \$256.95. The division overstates it by \( 312.50 - 256.95 = 55.55 \) dollars a month, which is safe but more than needed. The correct deposit is \$256.95

Lesson 5.4 · Unit 5 · F-LE.3

Time is worth more than money

Exponential growth rewards the early deposit far out of proportion to its size, because the last decade of growth is applied to a large balance. The clearest demonstration is a comparison of two savers, one who starts early and stops and one who starts late and never stops. The result is counterintuitive, which is why it is worth computing.

The method
  1. A dollar deposited earlier grows for longer and is multiplied by a larger factor. Growth factors rise faster and faster with time.
  2. Compare savers by finding each balance at the same date and adding what each contributed.
  3. A saver who stops contributing still earns interest. Grow the balance forward with \( P(1 + i)^n \).
  4. The final balance depends on time more than deposits once enough years have passed.
  5. The cost of delay is the difference between the balance from starting now and the balance from starting later.
  6. To catch up, the late starter must deposit more each month, and the amount rises quickly with each year of delay.
  7. The lesson has limits. It assumes a steady rate and is not a forecast. Returns vary, but the direction of the effect does not.
  8. Start with whatever is possible. A small deposit now beats a large deposit later.

Where students lose marks: comparing contributions instead of balances. The saver who contributes three times as much can end with less. Always compute each balance at the same date before deciding which saver did better.

Worked example

The problem. Ana saves \$200 a month from age 25 to 35 and then stops, leaving the money to grow to age 65. Ben saves \$200 a month from 35 to 65. Both earn 7 percent compounded monthly. (a) Find Ana's balance at 35. (b) Find her balance at 65. (c) Find Ben's balance at 65. (d) Compare the contributions.

Step one: name the givens. \( i = \dfrac{0.07}{12} = 0.005833 \). Ana deposits for 120 months and then waits 360 months. Ben deposits for 360 months.

Step two: Ana at 35 for (a). \( 200 \times \dfrac{(1.005833)^{120} - 1}{0.005833} = 200 \times 173.0848 = 34{,}616.96 \).

Step three: Ana at 65 for (b). The balance grows for 30 more years, which is 360 months: \( 34616.96 \times (1.005833)^{360} = 34616.96 \times 8.1165 = 280{,}968.48 \).

Step four: Ben at 65 for (c). \( 200 \times \dfrac{(1.005833)^{360} - 1}{0.005833} = 200 \times 1219.971 = 243{,}994.20 \).

Step five: compare the balances. Ana has \$280,968.48 and Ben has \$243,994.20, so Ana leads by \$36,974.28 at age 65.

Step six: compare the contributions for (d). Ana put in \( 200 \times 120 = 24000 \). Ben put in \( 200 \times 360 = 72000 \), three times as much.

Step seven: interpret. Ana's ten years of deposits had thirty more years to grow than Ben's first deposit had. The balance at 35, \$34,617, grows by a factor of 8.1 with no further effort.

Step eight: state the answers. Ana \$280,968.48 against Ben \$243,994.20, even though Ben contributed \$48,000 more. The money saved earliest produced the most. Ana's balance is 11.7 times her contributions and Ben's is 3.4 times his.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Use 7 percent compounded monthly.

  1. A single deposit of \$1,000 earns 7 percent compounded monthly. Find its value after 30 years and after 40 years.
    Show the full solution

    After 30 years: \( 1000 \times (1.005833)^{360} = 8116.50 \). After 40 years: \( 1000 \times (1.005833)^{480} = 16311.41 \). Ten more years doubled the result. \$8,116.50 and \$16,311.41

  2. Find the value of \$100 a month for 20, 30 and 40 years.
    Show the full solution

    20 years: \$52,092.67. 30 years: \$121,997.10. 40 years: \$262,481.34. The 20-year amounts and 30-year amounts differ by a factor of 2.3, and the 30-year and 40-year by a factor of 2.2. \$52,092.67; \$121,997.10; \$262,481.34

  3. Find the cost of delaying a \$100-a-month plan from 40 years to 30 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 262481.34 - 121997.10 = 140484.24 \). The delay cost more than the entire 30-year balance of the later plan. \$140,484.24

  4. A saver deposits \$300 a month for 5 years and then stops, leaving it to grow for 35 more years. Find the final balance.
    Show the full solution

    After 5 years: \( 300 \times \dfrac{(1.005833)^{60} - 1}{0.005833} = 300 \times 71.5929 = 21477.87 \). Growing 35 years (420 months) multiplies by \( (1.005833)^{420} = 11.5062 \), so \( 21477.87 \times 11.5062 = 247127.64 \). \$247,127.64

  5. That saver contributed \$18,000. Find the balance as a multiple of the contributions.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{247127.64}{18000} = 13.73 \). 13.73 times

  6. How much a month must a saver who starts at 35 deposit for 30 years to match Ana's \$280,968.48?
    Show the full solution

    \( D = \dfrac{280968.48 \times 0.005833}{(1.005833)^{360} - 1} = \dfrac{1638.98}{7.1165} = 230.31 \). Ana deposited \$200 for 10 years; the late starter must deposit \$230.31 for 30. \$230.31 a month

  7. Ben contributed 3 times as much as Ana. Explain in terms of the dates why his balance is smaller.
    Show the full solution

    Ana's deposits were made in years 1 through 10 and had 30 to 40 years to grow. Ben's were made in years 11 through 40 and on average had only 15 to 20 years. The growth factor for 30 years is 8.1 and for 15 years is about 2.8, so an early dollar is worth far more. Early dollars have longer to compound

  8. Find the value of \$200 a month for 25 years and for 35 years.
    Show the full solution

    25 years: \( 200 \times 810.0717 = 162014.34 \). 35 years: \( 200 \times 1801.0546 = 360210.92 \). \$162,014.34 and \$360,210.92

  9. How much did the extra 10 years add in the last problem, and how much more was put in?
    Show the full solution

    The gain is \( 360210.92 - 162014.34 = 198196.58 \) dollars. The extra contributions were \( 200 \times 120 = 24000 \). The added decade turned \$24,000 into \$198,196.58. \$198,196.58 from \$24,000 more

  10. A student says, "Ben saved for 30 years and Ana for 10, and Ben put in three times as much, so Ben must have more at 65." Correct the claim with the balances.
    Show the full solution

    The claim compares contributions, but the question is about balances at 65. Ana has \$280,968.48 and Ben has \$243,994.20. Ben has \$36,974.28 less, despite contributing \$48,000 more, because Ana's money was in the account longer. Ana has more

Lesson 5.5 · Unit 5 · N-Q.3

Saving inside an account the tax system favors

A retirement account is an ordinary investment account wrapped in a tax rule. Contributions to a traditional account reduce taxable income, growth is not taxed until withdrawal, and many employers add a match. The arithmetic is the future value formula with a larger deposit than the worker pays.

The method
  1. A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement account. The employee chooses a percent of pay to contribute, and it is taken from each check.
  2. A traditional contribution is pre-tax. It lowers taxable income now, so the cost in take-home pay is less than the contribution.
  3. The take-home cost of a pre-tax contribution is the contribution times one minus the marginal tax rate. A \$1,000 contribution at 22 percent costs \$780.
  4. An employer match adds money on a formula, for example 100 percent of contributions up to 4 percent of pay.
  5. The match is a guaranteed immediate return. It is the first place to put savings, before any other account.
  6. Growth inside the account is not taxed each year, so the full return compounds.
  7. Vesting is the schedule by which the match becomes yours. Your own contributions are always yours; the match may vest over a few years.
  8. The future value formula applies with the deposit equal to the contribution plus the match, compounded at the account's return.

Where students lose marks: leaving the match unclaimed. An employee who contributes 2 percent when the match runs to 4 percent gives up free money. The match is paid on contributions only up to its limit, so contribute at least that much.

Worked example

The problem. An employee earns \$54,000 a year and contributes 6 percent to a 401(k). The employer matches 100 percent of contributions up to 4 percent of pay. The account earns 7 percent compounded monthly for 35 years. (a) Find the monthly contribution and match. (b) Find the balance with the match. (c) Find the balance without it. (d) Find the value of the match.

Step one: name the givens. Monthly pay is \( \dfrac{54000}{12} = 4500 \). Contributions are 6 percent of pay and the match is capped at 4 percent.

Step two: the monthly amounts for (a). The employee pays \( 0.06 \times 4500 = 270 \). The match is \( 0.04 \times 4500 = 180 \). The total deposit is \( 270 + 180 = 450 \) dollars a month.

Step three: the annuity factor. With \( i = 0.005833 \) and \( n = 420 \), the factor is \( \dfrac{(1.005833)^{420} - 1}{0.005833} = 1801.0546 \).

Step four: the balance with the match for (b). \( 450 \times 1801.0546 = 810{,}474.57 \) dollars.

Step five: the balance without the match for (c). \( 270 \times 1801.0546 = 486{,}284.74 \).

Step six: the value of the match for (d). \( 810474.57 - 486284.74 = 324{,}189.83 \) dollars.

Step seven: compare with the contributions. The employee puts in \( 270 \times 420 = 113{,}400 \) over 35 years, and the employer puts in \( 180 \times 420 = 75{,}600 \). The employer's \$75,600 becomes \$324,189.83.

Step eight: state the answers. With the match the account holds \$810,474.57; without it, \$486,284.74. The match is worth \$324,189.83. Because contributions are pre-tax, a \$270 monthly contribution costs less than \$270 in take-home pay, which makes the real cost lower still.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. An employer matches 100 percent of contributions up to 3 percent of a \$60,000 salary. Find the maximum match in a year.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.03 \times 60000 = 1800 \). \$1,800

  2. An employee earning \$48,000 contributes 5 percent. Find the annual contribution.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.05 \times 48000 = 2400 \). \$2,400

  3. An employer matches 50 percent of contributions up to 6 percent of pay. An employee earning \$60,000 contributes 6 percent. Find the match.
    Show the full solution

    Her contribution is \( 0.06 \times 60000 = 3600 \), and the match is \( 0.50 \times 3600 = 1800 \). \$1,800

  4. Find the balance after 30 years of \$300 a month at 7 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( 300 \times \dfrac{(1.005833)^{360} - 1}{0.005833} = 300 \times 1219.971 = 365991.30 \). \$365,991.30

  5. Find the balance after 30 years if the same worker's deposit, with match, is \$450 a month.
    Show the full solution

    \( 450 \times 1219.971 = 548986.95 \). The match of \$150 a month is worth \( 548986.95 - 365991.30 = 182995.65 \). \$548,986.95

  6. A \$1,000 pre-tax contribution is made by a worker whose marginal rate is 22 percent. Find the cost to take-home pay.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1000 \times (1 - 0.22) = 780 \). \$780

  7. An employee earning \$50,000 contributes 2 percent and the employer matches 100 percent up to 4 percent. Find the match received and the match missed.
    Show the full solution

    The match received is \( 0.02 \times 50000 = 1000 \). The maximum is \( 0.04 \times 50000 = 2000 \), so \$1,000 is missed. The extra 2 percent contribution (\$1,000) would earn \$1,000 immediately, a 100 percent return. \$1,000 received; \$1,000 missed

  8. An employer's match of \$1,800 a year vests 25 percent for each year of service. An employee leaves after 2 years. How much of the match is hers?
    Show the full solution

    Two years of matching total \( 2 \times 1800 = 3600 \). After two years, 50 percent has vested: \( 0.50 \times 3600 = 1800 \). Her own contributions are hers in full. \$1,800

  9. Explain why the employer match is a better return than any investment.
    Show the full solution

    A 100 percent match doubles every dollar contributed, up to the limit, the moment it is deposited. No investment reliably returns 100 percent in a day. The match is also unaffected by market swings, which makes it the highest priority for savings. It is a guaranteed 100 percent return

  10. A student says, "The account's interest is small; I'd have saved the money anyway." Use the example to correct this.
    Show the full solution

    In the example the worker contributes \$113,400 and the account holds \$486,284.74, so the growth is \( 486284.74 - 113400 = 372884.74 \), which is \( \dfrac{372884.74}{486284.74} = 76.68 \) percent of the balance. More than three quarters of the account came from growth, not from deposits. About 77 percent of the balance is growth

Lesson 5.6 · Unit 5 · F-LE.2

Pay the tax now or pay it later

There are two ways to tax a retirement account. The traditional account lets the deposit come off taxable income now and taxes the withdrawal; a Roth account taxes the deposit now and leaves the withdrawal untaxed. Which leaves more depends on one comparison: the tax rate now against the tax rate later.

The method
  1. A traditional account is taxed at withdrawal. The contribution comes off taxable income; the balance is taxed as income when withdrawn.
  2. A Roth account is taxed at contribution. The contribution is made from after-tax pay, and qualified withdrawals are not taxed.
  3. Compare at equal take-home cost. A \$6,000 traditional contribution at a 22 percent marginal rate costs the same take-home pay as a \$4,680 Roth contribution (\( 6000 \times 0.78 \)).
  4. Both grow by the same factor. With the same return the growth factor cancels out of the comparison.
  5. If the two tax rates are equal, the accounts are equal. Both give \( P \times g \times (1 - t) \), where \( g \) is the growth factor and \( t \) the tax rate.
  6. If the rate at withdrawal is lower, the traditional account wins.
  7. If the rate at withdrawal is higher, the Roth account wins.
  8. Nobody knows the future rate. Many savers hold both kinds so that the outcome does not hinge on a single guess.

Where students lose marks: comparing equal contributions. A traditional \$6,000 and a Roth \$6,000 are not the same cost: the traditional one is \$1,320 cheaper in take-home pay at 22 percent. Compare at equal take-home cost, or the Roth will look better than it is.

Worked example

The problem. A saver in the 22 percent bracket can make a \$6,000 traditional contribution or the Roth contribution with the same take-home cost. The money grows at 7 percent a year for 30 years. (a) Find the Roth contribution. (b) Find the growth factor. (c) Find the after-tax value of each if the tax rate at withdrawal is 22 percent. (d) Repeat for 12 percent and 32 percent.

Step one: the Roth contribution for (a). Equal take-home cost means \( 6000 \times (1 - 0.22) = 4680 \) dollars.

Step two: the growth factor for (b). \( (1.07)^{30} = 7.6123 \).

Step three: the traditional balance. \( 6000 \times 7.6123 = 45{,}673.53 \) before tax.

Step four: the Roth balance. \( 4680 \times 7.6123 = 35{,}625.35 \), which is already tax-free.

Step five: traditional after tax at 22 percent for (c). \( 45673.53 \times 0.78 = 35{,}625.35 \). The two accounts are equal, to the cent.

Step six: a lower rate at withdrawal for (d). At 12 percent, the traditional account nets \( 45673.53 \times 0.88 = 40{,}192.71 \), which beats the Roth's \$35,625.35 by \$4,567.36.

Step seven: a higher rate. At 32 percent, the traditional account nets \( 45673.53 \times 0.68 = 31{,}058.00 \), which loses to the Roth by \$4,567.35.

Step eight: state the answers. At equal rates the accounts tie at \$35,625.35; at 12 percent traditional wins; at 32 percent Roth wins. The choice is a bet on whether today's tax rate is higher or lower than tomorrow's, and the growth rate does not affect it.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A saver in the 24 percent bracket considers a \$5,000 traditional contribution. Find the Roth contribution that costs the same take-home pay.
    Show the full solution

    \( 5000 \times (1 - 0.24) = 3800 \). \$3,800

  2. Find the value of \$3,000 in 25 years at 6 percent compounded annually, and its value after a 12 percent tax at withdrawal.
    Show the full solution

    \( 3000 \times (1.06)^{25} = 12875.61 \). After the tax, \( 12875.61 \times 0.88 = 11330.54 \). \$12,875.61 before tax; \$11,330.54 after

  3. Find the tax saved this year by a \$6,000 traditional contribution in the 24 percent bracket.
    Show the full solution

    \( 6000 \times 0.24 = 1440 \). This is the same as the gap between the \$6,000 contribution and its take-home cost of \$4,560. \$1,440

  4. Find the value of the \$4,560 Roth contribution at 7 percent for 30 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 4560 \times 7.6123 = 34711.88 \), tax-free. \$34,711.88

  5. An account holding \$8,000 of pre-tax money grows at 7 percent for 20 years and is taxed at 15 percent at withdrawal, while the Roth version of the same take-home cost is \( 8000 \times 0.78 \). Find the after-tax value of each.
    Show the full solution

    Growth factor \( (1.07)^{20} = 3.8697 \). Traditional: \( 8000 \times 3.8697 \times 0.85 = 26313.85 \). Roth: \( 6240 \times 3.8697 = 24146.83 \). The traditional account wins because the tax rate at withdrawal, 15 percent, is lower than the 22 percent at contribution. Traditional \$26,313.85; Roth \$24,146.83

  6. Explain why the two accounts tie when the tax rate is the same at contribution and at withdrawal.
    Show the full solution

    Let the tax rate be \( t \) and the growth factor \( g \). The traditional account gives \( P \times g \times (1 - t) \) after tax. The Roth contribution that costs the same is \( P(1 - t) \), which grows to \( P(1 - t) \times g \). The two expressions are the same product in a different order. \( P \cdot g \cdot (1 - t) \) in both cases

  7. Find the growth of a \$2,000 Roth contribution in 5 years at 7 percent, and the tax due on withdrawal.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2000 \times (1.07)^5 = 2805.10 \). A qualified Roth withdrawal is not taxed, so the tax due is \$0 and the saver keeps all \$2,805.10. \$2,805.10; no tax

  8. A saver expects to pay 28 percent tax on withdrawals from a traditional account of \$100,000. Find the tax and the amount kept.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.28 \times 100000 = 28000 \), and \( 100000 - 28000 = 72000 \). A balance of \$100,000 in a traditional account is not \$100,000 of spending money. \$28,000 tax; \$72,000 kept

  9. A traditional balance is \$120,000 and the withdrawal tax rate is 15 percent. Find the after-tax value.
    Show the full solution

    \( 120000 \times 0.85 = 102000 \). \$102,000

  10. A student says, "Roth is always better because the growth is tax-free." Test the claim against the 12 percent case in the example.
    Show the full solution

    Growth is tax-free in the Roth account, but the contribution was taxed first. At equal take-home cost and a 12 percent rate at withdrawal, the traditional account nets \$40,192.71 against the Roth's \$35,625.35. The Roth wins only when the rate at withdrawal is higher than the rate at contribution. False: traditional wins when the later rate is lower

Lesson 5.7 · Unit 5 · A-SSE.4

Turning a balance into an income

Saving builds a balance, and retirement draws it down. While regular withdrawals are taken out, the balance that remains keeps earning interest. Two questions follow: how large a balance is needed to pay a given monthly amount, and how long a given balance lasts. Both come from present value.

The method
  1. A stream of withdrawals \( W \) has a present value: the balance needed now to fund them.
  2. The formula is \( PV = W\left[\dfrac{1 - (1 + i)^{-n}}{i}\right] \), with \( i = r/m \) and \( n = mt \).
  3. The balance needed is less than the total withdrawn, because the remaining balance keeps earning.
  4. To find how long a balance lasts, solve for \( n \): \( n = \dfrac{-\ln\left(1 - \dfrac{PV \cdot i}{W}\right)}{\ln(1 + i)} \).
  5. The balance lasts forever only if interest covers the withdrawal. When \( PV \cdot i \ge W \), the log has no solution and the balance never runs out.
  6. A rule of thumb is to withdraw about 4 percent of the starting balance in the first year. A balance of \$600,000 supports \$24,000 a year, or \$2,000 a month. It is a planning guide, not a guarantee.
  7. Inflation raises the amount needed over time. A fixed withdrawal buys less each year, as Lesson 4.6 showed.
  8. Check the answer against the total: the balance needed must be less than the sum of all withdrawals and more than the sum divided by the growth of the last year.

Where students lose marks: multiplying instead of discounting. Needing \$2,000 a month for 25 years does not require \( 2000 \times 12 \times 25 = 600{,}000 \) dollars in the account; it requires less, because the balance earns interest while waiting its turn. The present value formula finds the smaller, correct balance.

Worked example

The problem. A retiree wants to withdraw \$2,000 at the end of each month for 25 years from an account earning 5 percent compounded monthly. (a) Find the balance needed. (b) Compare it with the total withdrawn. (c) Find how long a \$300,000 balance would last at the same withdrawal. (d) Apply the 4 percent rule of thumb to \$600,000.

Step one: name the givens. \( W = 2000 \), \( i = \dfrac{0.05}{12} = 0.004167 \), \( n = 12 \times 25 = 300 \).

Step two: the discount factor. \( (1.004167)^{-300} = 0.287250 \), so \( 1 - (1.004167)^{-300} = 0.712750 \).

Step three: the balance for (a). \( PV = 2000 \times \dfrac{0.712750}{0.004167} = 2000 \times 171.0600 = 342{,}120.09 \).

Step four: compare for (b). The total withdrawn is \( 2000 \times 300 = 600000 \). The required balance is \$342,120.09, or 57 percent of that. The remaining \$257,879.91 is paid by the account's interest.

Step five: how long \$300,000 lasts, for (c). \( 1 - \dfrac{300000 \times 0.004167}{2000} = 1 - 0.625 = 0.375 \).

Step six: solve for \( n \). \( n = \dfrac{-\ln 0.375}{\ln 1.004167} = \dfrac{0.980829}{0.004158} = 235.89 \) months, about 19.66 years.

Step seven: the rule of thumb for (d). \( 0.04 \times 600000 = 24000 \) a year, or \( \dfrac{24000}{12} = 2000 \) a month. The rule aims to leave the balance largely intact, so it asks for far more than the \$342,120 that merely funds 25 years of the same income.

Step eight: state the answers. \$342,120.09 funds 25 years of \$2,000 withdrawals; \$300,000 lasts about 19.7 years; \$600,000 would support that income almost indefinitely under the 4 percent rule. Making the income last indefinitely rather than for 25 years takes \$257,879.91 of extra balance.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Withdrawals are at the end of each month.

  1. Find the balance needed to withdraw \$1,000 a month for 20 years at 4 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = \dfrac{0.04}{12} \), \( n = 240 \). The factor is \( \dfrac{1 - (1.003333)^{-240}}{0.003333} = 165.0219 \), so \( PV = 165{,}021.86 \). \$165,021.86

  2. Find the balance needed to withdraw \$500 a month for 10 years at 6 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.005 \), \( n = 120 \). The factor is \( \dfrac{1 - (1.005)^{-120}}{0.005} = 90.0735 \), so \( PV = 500 \times 90.0735 = 45036.73 \). \$45,036.73

  3. By the 4 percent rule, find the annual and monthly withdrawal from \$600,000.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.04 \times 600000 = 24000 \) a year, and \( \dfrac{24000}{12} = 2000 \) a month. \$24,000 a year; \$2,000 a month

  4. By the 4 percent rule, what balance supports \$3,000 a month?
    Show the full solution

    The annual need is \( 3000 \times 12 = 36000 \), and the balance is \( \dfrac{36000}{0.04} = 900000 \). \$900,000

  5. A balance of \$400,000 earns 5 percent compounded monthly. Find the interest in the first month.
    Show the full solution

    \( 400000 \times \dfrac{0.05}{12} = 1666.67 \). \$1,666.67

  6. With no interest, how long does \$120,000 last at \$2,000 a month?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{120000}{2000} = 60 \) months, or 5 years. 60 months

  7. Find the balance needed to withdraw \$1,500 a month for 30 years at 5 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = \dfrac{0.05}{12} \), \( n = 360 \). The factor is 186.2816, so \( PV = 1500 \times 186.2816 = 279422.43 \). Total withdrawn: \$540,000. \$279,422.43

  8. Find the balance needed to withdraw \$2,500 a month for 25 years at 6 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.005 \), \( n = 300 \). The factor is \( \dfrac{1 - (1.005)^{-300}}{0.005} = 155.2069 \), so \( PV = 2500 \times 155.2069 = 388017.16 \). \$388,017.16

  9. How long does \$200,000 last at \$1,500 a month at 5 percent compounded monthly?
    Show the full solution

    \( 1 - \dfrac{200000 \times 0.004167}{1500} = 1 - 0.5556 = 0.4444 \). Then \( n = \dfrac{-\ln 0.4444}{\ln 1.004167} = \dfrac{0.810930}{0.004158} = 195.03 \) months, about 16.25 years. About 16.25 years

  10. A student says that \$2,000 a month for 25 years requires \( 2000 \times 12 \times 25 = 600000 \) in the account. Find the error and the correct amount at 5 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    The multiplication counts the total withdrawn and ignores the interest the balance earns while it waits. The account pays much of the income itself. The correct balance is \( 2000 \times 171.06 = 342120.09 \), which is \$257,879.91 less than the student's figure. \$342,120.09

Unit 5 review · 10 problems · all lessons

Unit 5 review: Saving and the Time Value of Money

These are shuffled across all seven lessons. Decide first whether the problem asks for a payment, a present value or a future value.

  1. Find the future value of \$300 deposited at the end of each month for 15 years at 4.8% compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.004 \), \( n = 180 \). \( (1.004)^{180} = 2.051485 \). \( FV = 300 \cdot \dfrac{2.051485 - 1}{0.004} \). \$78,861.36

  2. How much must be deposited today at 5% compounded annually to have \$20,000 in 10 years?
    Show the full solution

    \( PV = \dfrac{20000}{(1.05)^{10}} = \dfrac{20000}{1.628895} \). \$12,278.27

  3. Find the monthly deposit needed to reach \$50,000 in 12 years at 6% compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.005 \), \( n = 144 \), \( (1.005)^{144} = 2.050751 \). \( PMT = \dfrac{50000(0.005)}{2.050751 - 1} \). \$237.93 a month

  4. Saver A deposits \$250 a month for 30 years; saver B deposits \$400 a month for 20 years. Both earn 6% compounded monthly. Find each future value and each total deposited.
    Show the full solution

    A: \( (1.005)^{360} = 6.022575 \), \( 250 \cdot \dfrac{6.022575 - 1}{0.005} = 251{,}128.76 \), deposits \( 250(360) = \$90{,}000 \). B: \( (1.005)^{240} = 3.310204 \), future value 184,816.36, deposits \( 400(240) = \$96{,}000 \). A: \$251,128.76 from \$90,000; B: \$184,816.36 from \$96,000. A wins with less money because of 10 more years

  5. A worker earning \$64,000 contributes 8% of pay. The employer matches 50% of the first 6% of pay. Find the yearly total going into the account.
    Show the full solution

    Employee \( 0.08(64000) = \$5{,}120 \). Match \( 0.50(0.06)(64000) = \$1{,}920 \). Add them. \$7,040

  6. A \$5,000 pre-tax contribution to a traditional account costs \$3,900 of take-home pay at a 22% tax rate now. Either account grows by a factor of 2.5. The retiree pays 15% tax on traditional withdrawals. Compare the traditional account with a Roth account funded with the same \$3,900.
    Show the full solution

    Traditional: \( 5000(2.5) = \$12{,}500 \), then \( 0.85(12500) = \$10{,}625 \) after tax. Roth: \( 3900(2.5) = \$9{,}750 \), tax-free. Traditional \$10,625 against Roth \$9,750; traditional wins because the rate falls from 22% to 15%

  7. A retiree has \$400,000 earning 5% compounded monthly and withdraws \$2,500 a month. How long does the money last?
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.05 \div 12 = 0.0041667 \). \( 1 - \dfrac{400000(0.0041667)}{2500} = 1 - 0.66667 = 0.33333 \). \( n = -\dfrac{\ln 0.33333}{\ln 1.0041667} = \dfrac{1.098612}{0.004158} \). about 264 months, or 22.0 years

  8. A retiree has \$300,000 earning 4.8% compounded monthly. Find the level monthly withdrawal that uses it up in 25 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.004 \), \( n = 300 \), \( (1.004)^{-300} = 0.301916 \). \( PMT = \dfrac{300000(0.004)}{1 - 0.301916} \). \$1,718.99 a month

  9. A family needs \$8,000 in 4 years. An account pays 4% compounded quarterly. Find the deposit needed today.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.01 \), \( n = 16 \). \( PV = \dfrac{8000}{(1.01)^{16}} = \dfrac{8000}{1.172579} \). \$6,822.57

  10. A student finds the future value of \$200 a month for 15 years at 6% as \( 200 \cdot \dfrac{(1.005)^{15} - 1}{0.005} \). Find the error and the right answer.
    Show the full solution

    There are 180 deposits, not 15. The exponent must count periods: \( n = 15(12) = 180 \). The student's 3,107.31 is the value after 15 months. Right: \( 200 \cdot \dfrac{2.454094 - 1}{0.005} \). \$58,163.74, not \$3,107.31

Lesson 6.1 · Unit 6 · F-LE.1-2

The price of borrowing on a card

A credit card is a loan that renews every month. Each purchase is borrowed money, and unless the full balance is paid by the due date, interest is charged on whatever is left. The rate is the highest most people ever pay, so it is worth knowing exactly how the charge is figured.

The method
  1. A credit card has a credit limit, the most that can be owed, and an APR, the stated annual rate.
  2. The grace period is the time between the end of a billing cycle and the due date. If the full statement balance is paid by the due date, no interest is charged on new purchases.
  3. If the balance is carried, interest is charged. The interest on a balance is the balance times the periodic rate.
  4. The monthly periodic rate is the APR divided by 12. An APR of 22.99 percent gives \( \dfrac{0.2299}{12} = 0.019158 \), or 1.9158 percent a month.
  5. The daily periodic rate is the APR divided by 365. Interest is then charged each day on the daily balance, for the days in the cycle.
  6. Interest is added to the balance, and next month's interest is figured on the larger amount. This is compound interest at the monthly rate.
  7. The effective annual rate is higher than the APR, as Lesson 4.4 showed: 24 percent compounded monthly is 26.82 percent.
  8. A payment is applied to interest first in the sense that the new balance is the old balance plus interest minus the payment.

Where students lose marks: the period mismatch. The APR is an annual rate, and the interest on a month's balance uses the monthly rate. Multiplying a balance by the APR and calling it a month's interest overstates the charge by a factor of 12.

Worked example

The problem. A card has an APR of 22.99 percent and a balance of \$2,400 that is carried for a month. (a) Find the monthly periodic rate. (b) Find the interest for the month. (c) Find the interest if the card charges by the day for a 30-day and a 31-day cycle. (d) Find the new balance if nothing is paid, and if \$100 is paid.

Step one: name the givens. Balance \$2,400; APR 0.2299.

Step two: the monthly rate for (a). \( \dfrac{0.2299}{12} = 0.0191583 \), or 1.9158 percent.

Step three: the monthly interest for (b). \( 2400 \times 0.0191583 = 45.98 \) dollars.

Step four: the daily method for (c). The daily rate is \( \dfrac{0.2299}{365} = 0.000630 \), or 0.0630 percent. For 30 days: \( 2400 \times \dfrac{0.2299}{365} \times 30 = 45.35 \). For 31 days it is \$46.86.

Step five: compare. The daily method charges by the length of the cycle, so a 31-day month costs \$1.51 more than a 30-day month. The monthly method charges the same every month.

Step six: the new balance for (d). If nothing is paid: \( 2400 + 45.98 = 2445.98 \).

Step seven: with a \$100 payment. \( 2400 + 45.98 - 100 = 2345.98 \). Of the \$100, \$45.98 paid the month's interest and only \$54.02 reduced what was owed.

Step eight: state the answers. The monthly rate is 1.9158 percent; the interest is \$45.98 (or \$45.35 to \$46.86 by the day); the new balance is \$2,445.98 with no payment and \$2,345.98 after a \$100 payment. Next month's interest will be on the new balance, which is how the debt compounds.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the interest for one month on a balance of \$1,800 at an APR of 19.5 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1800 \times \dfrac{0.195}{12} = 1800 \times 0.01625 = 29.25 \). \$29.25

  2. Find the monthly periodic rate for an APR of 18 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{0.18}{12} = 0.015 \). 1.5 percent

  3. Find the interest for one month on \$500 at an APR of 24 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 500 \times \dfrac{0.24}{12} = 500 \times 0.02 = 10.00 \). \$10.00

  4. Find the daily periodic rate for an APR of 24 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{0.24}{365} = 0.000658 \). 0.0658 percent a day

  5. Find the interest for one month on \$3,200 at an APR of 29.99 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 3200 \times \dfrac{0.2999}{12} = 3200 \times 0.024992 = 79.97 \). \$79.97

  6. A cardholder pays the full statement balance by the due date. How much interest is charged on that month's purchases, and why?
    Show the full solution

    None. The grace period means purchases carry no interest when the full statement balance is paid on time. The APR only matters when a balance is carried. \$0.00

  7. A balance of \$1,000 at 18 percent compounded monthly is left with no payments for 12 months. Find the amount owed.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1000 \times (1.015)^{12} = 1000 \times 1.195618 = 1195.62 \). The debt grew by \$195.62, about 19.6 percent. \$1,195.62

  8. A balance of \$1,250 at an APR of 19.2 percent receives a \$200 payment. Find the interest and the new balance.
    Show the full solution

    Interest: \( 1250 \times \dfrac{0.192}{12} = 1250 \times 0.016 = 20.00 \). New balance: \( 1250 + 20 - 200 = 1070 \). \$20.00; \$1,070.00

  9. A cash advance of \$1,000 at 29.99 percent accrues interest from the day it is taken, with no grace period. Find the interest for 20 days by the daily method.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1000 \times \dfrac{0.2999}{365} \times 20 = 16.43 \). \$16.43

  10. A student says, "An APR of 24 percent means I pay 24 percent a year." Find the effective rate when it compounds monthly, and explain.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.02)^{12} - 1 = 0.268242 \), so the effective rate is 26.82 percent. Interest each month is added to the balance and then earns interest itself, so a year costs more than the APR. 26.82 percent

Lesson 6.2 · Unit 6 · F-LE.4, A-SSE.4

Why the minimum payment is a trap

The minimum payment is set low on purpose. It keeps the account in good standing and keeps the balance alive. Computing the payoff time under the minimum, and under a fixed payment a little larger, is the most persuasive exercise in the course.

The method
  1. The minimum payment is set by a formula. This course uses the larger of \$25 or 2 percent of the balance. It is a teaching policy; real issuers use their own formulas.
  2. The principal paid each month is the payment minus the interest. Only that part reduces the balance.
  3. Interest can be nearly the whole minimum. On \$2,400 at 22.99 percent the interest is \$45.98 and the minimum is \$48.00, leaving \$2.02.
  4. The minimum falls as the balance falls, so the payoff slows down further.
  5. A fixed payment \( P \) clears a balance \( B \) in \( n = \dfrac{-\ln(1 - Bi/P)}{\ln(1 + i)} \) months, where \( i \) is the monthly rate.
  6. The payment must exceed the first month's interest, \( Bi \). Otherwise the balance never falls and the log has no solution.
  7. Total interest is total paid minus the balance. Adding the payments from the schedule, and subtracting the original balance, gives it.
  8. A small increase in the payment shortens the payoff by years and cuts the interest by thousands.

Where students lose marks: the division shortcut. A \$2,400 balance divided by \$48 looks like a 50-month payoff. It is not, because each payment first covers the month's interest, and the balance falls by only a few dollars a month at first.

Worked example

The problem. A card has a balance of \$2,400 at an APR of 22.99 percent and no new purchases are made. (a) Find the first month's interest, payment and principal under the minimum. (b) Find how long the minimum takes to clear the balance and what it costs. (c) Find the payoff time and cost with a fixed \$150 payment. (d) Compare \$100 and \$200.

Step one: the first month under the minimum for (a). Interest is \( 2400 \times 0.0191583 = 45.98 \). The minimum is the larger of \$25 and \( 0.02 \times 2400 = 48 \), so the payment is \$48.00.

Step two: the principal paid. \( 48.00 - 45.98 = 2.02 \) dollars, so the balance falls only to \$2,397.98. Only 4.2 percent of the payment reduced the debt.

Step three: run the schedule for (b). As the balance shrinks, so does the payment. After 60 months the payment is \$45.67 and the balance is still \$2,281.72. The debt is not cleared until month 942.

Step four: the cost of the minimum. Clearing the balance takes 942 months, which is 78.5 years, and the interest is \$29,100.36. The total paid is \( 2400 + 29100.36 = 31500.36 \), about 13 times the amount borrowed.

Step five: the \$150 payment for (c). The monthly rate is 0.0191583, so \( n = \dfrac{-\ln(1 - 2400 \times 0.0191583 / 150)}{\ln 1.0191583} = \dfrac{-\ln(0.693467)}{0.018977} = 19.29 \) months. That is 20 payments, the last one smaller.

Step six: the cost of the \$150 payment. The interest totals \$493.71 and the last payment is \$43.71. The total paid is \( 2400 + 493.71 = 2893.71 \).

Step seven: compare \$100 and \$200 for (d). At \$100 the debt takes 33 months and costs \$845.31 in interest. At \$200 it takes 14 months and costs \$353.50. Doubling the payment from \$100 to \$200 cuts the interest by \$491.81.

Step eight: state the answers. The minimum takes 942 months and costs \$29,100.36 in interest. A \$150 payment takes 20 months and costs \$493.71. The difference between the two is \$28,606.65 in interest, for paying \$102 more in month one.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the first month's interest on \$1,500 at an APR of 18 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1500 \times 0.015 = 22.50 \). \$22.50

  2. Find the minimum payment on a \$3,000 balance under the larger-of-\$25-or-2-percent policy.
    Show the full solution

    Two percent of \$3,000 is \$60, which exceeds \$25. \$60.00

  3. A \$1,500 balance at 18 percent is paid off with a fixed \$75 a month. Find the number of months and the total interest.
    Show the full solution

    \( n = \dfrac{-\ln(1 - 22.50/75)}{\ln 1.015} = \dfrac{-\ln 0.7}{0.014889} = 23.96 \), so 24 payments, the last smaller. The interest totals \$296.71. 24 months; \$296.71

  4. A \$1,000 balance at 24 percent is paid with \$50 a month or \$100 a month. Find the months and interest for each.
    Show the full solution

    At \$50: 26 months and \$289.88 of interest. At \$100: 12 months and \$127.04. Doubling the payment cut the time by more than half and the interest by more than half. 26 months, \$289.88; 12 months, \$127.04

  5. A \$500 balance at 24 percent is paid with \$10 a month. What happens to the balance?
    Show the full solution

    The monthly interest is \( 500 \times 0.02 = 10.00 \), exactly the payment. The balance never falls and the debt is never paid. The balance stays at \$500

  6. A \$5,000 balance at 19.99 percent is paid with \$200 a month, or \$300 a month. Find the months and interest for each.
    Show the full solution

    At \$200: 33 months and \$1,521.01. At \$300: 20 months and \$906.24. The extra \$100 a month saves 13 months and \$614.77. 33 months, \$1,521.01; 20 months, \$906.24

  7. In the worked example, find the total paid with the \$150 plan.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2400 + 493.71 = 2893.71 \). \$2,893.71

  8. On the \$2,400 balance, compare the \$100 and \$200 plans.
    Show the full solution

    \$100: 33 months, \$845.31 interest. \$200: 14 months, \$353.50 interest. The difference is \( 845.31 - 353.50 = 491.81 \) dollars. \$200 saves \$491.81 and 19 months

  9. In the first month of the minimum plan, what percent of the \$48.00 payment reduced the balance?
    Show the full solution

    Principal is \( 48.00 - 45.98 = 2.02 \), and \( \dfrac{2.02}{48.00} \times 100 = 4.2 \). The other 95.8 percent was interest. 4.2 percent

  10. A student says that paying \$48 a month on a \$2,400 balance clears it in \( 2400 \div 48 = 50 \) months. Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    The division treats every dollar of the payment as repaying the balance. Each month starts with about \$46 of interest, so only about \$2 reduces the debt. The schedule takes 942 months under the minimum policy, about 19 times the student's estimate. 942 months, not 50

Lesson 6.3 · Unit 6 · N-Q.3

Interest on a balance that keeps changing

During a billing cycle the balance moves: a purchase raises it and a payment lowers it. The lender needs one number to charge interest on, and the standard choice is the average daily balance. The method rewards paying early in the cycle and shows how timing alone changes the cost.

The method
  1. A billing cycle is about 30 days. The balance is recorded each day.
  2. The balance changes on the day of a transaction. A purchase raises it and a payment lowers it from that day on.
  3. List each balance and the number of days it was held. The days must sum to the length of the cycle.
  4. The average daily balance is \( \dfrac{\sum (\text{balance} \times \text{days})}{\text{days in cycle}} \).
  5. Interest with the monthly rate is the average daily balance times \( \dfrac{\text{APR}}{12} \).
  6. Interest with the daily rate is the average daily balance times \( \dfrac{\text{APR}}{365} \) times the days in the cycle.
  7. A lower average means less interest. A payment made earlier in the cycle lowers the average more than the same payment later.
  8. The new balance is the ending balance plus the interest charged.

Where students lose marks: using the ending balance. A card that started the cycle at \$1,200, rose to \$1,500, and ended at \$1,100 was not carried at \$1,100 all month. The interest is figured on the average of what was owed each day, which here is \$1,263.33.

Worked example

The problem. A card with an APR of 21.6 percent has a balance of \$1,200 at the start of a 30-day cycle. On day 10 a \$300 purchase is made. On day 20 a \$400 payment is made. (a) List the balances and days. (b) Find the average daily balance. (c) Find the interest by the monthly and by the daily method. (d) Find the new balance.

Step one: list the balances for (a). Days 1 to 9 at \$1,200, which is 9 days. Days 10 to 19 at \( 1200 + 300 = 1500 \), 10 days. Days 20 to 30 at \( 1500 - 400 = 1100 \), 11 days. The days sum to \( 9 + 10 + 11 = 30 \).

Step two: multiply each balance by its days. \( 1200 \times 9 = 10800 \), \( 1500 \times 10 = 15000 \), \( 1100 \times 11 = 12100 \).

Step three: add. \( 10800 + 15000 + 12100 = 37900 \).

Step four: divide for (b). \( \dfrac{37900}{30} = 1263.33 \) dollars.

Step five: the monthly method for (c). The monthly rate is \( \dfrac{0.216}{12} = 0.018 \), so the interest is \( 1263.33 \times 0.018 = 22.74 \).

Step six: the daily method. \( 1263.33 \times \dfrac{0.216}{365} \times 30 = 22.43 \). The two methods differ by 31 cents because 12 months are not exactly 365 days.

Step seven: the new balance for (d). The ending balance is \$1,100, so the new balance is \( 1100 + 22.74 = 1122.74 \).

Step eight: state the answers. The average daily balance is \$1,263.33, the interest is \$22.74 (or \$22.43 by the daily method), and the new balance is \$1,122.74. Using the ending balance of \$1,100 would have given only \$19.80, understating the charge.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Cycles are 30 days unless stated.

  1. A balance is \$500 for 15 days and \$800 for 15 days. Find the average daily balance.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{500 \times 15 + 800 \times 15}{30} = \dfrac{19500}{30} = 650 \). \$650.00

  2. A balance is \$1,000 for 10 days and \$1,400 for 20 days. Find the average daily balance.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{10000 + 28000}{30} = 1266.67 \). \$1,266.67

  3. Find the interest on an average daily balance of \$1,200 at an APR of 18 percent, using the monthly rate.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1200 \times \dfrac{0.18}{12} = 1200 \times 0.015 = 18.00 \). \$18.00

  4. A balance of \$1,000 is constant for the whole cycle. Find the average daily balance.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1000 \times 30}{30} = 1000 \). \$1,000.00

  5. A 31-day cycle has a balance of \$900 for 16 days and \$1,300 for 15 days. Find the average daily balance and the interest at an APR of 20 percent by the daily method.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{900 \times 16 + 1300 \times 15}{31} = \dfrac{33900}{31} = 1093.55 \). The interest is \( 1093.55 \times \dfrac{0.20}{365} \times 31 = 18.58 \). \$1,093.55; \$18.58

  6. A card starts a 30-day cycle at \$400. Purchases of \$200 are made on day 11 and \$100 on day 21, with no payments. Find the average daily balance.
    Show the full solution

    Days 1 to 10 at \$400, days 11 to 20 at \$600, days 21 to 30 at \$700. The average is \( \dfrac{4000 + 6000 + 7000}{30} = 566.67 \). \$566.67

  7. A balance of \$2,000 falls to \$1,500 after a \$500 payment. Find the average daily balance if the payment is made on day 6 (balance \$2,000 for 5 days) and if it is made on day 26 (balance \$2,000 for 25 days).
    Show the full solution

    Early: \( \dfrac{2000 \times 5 + 1500 \times 25}{30} = 1583.33 \). Late: \( \dfrac{2000 \times 25 + 1500 \times 5}{30} = 1916.67 \). \$1,583.33 early; \$1,916.67 late

  8. At an APR of 24 percent, find the interest for each timing in the last problem and the saving from paying early.
    Show the full solution

    Early: \( 1583.33 \times 0.02 = 31.67 \). Late: \( 1916.67 \times 0.02 = 38.33 \). The saving is \( 38.33 - 31.67 = 6.66 \) dollars for making the same payment 20 days sooner. \$31.67 and \$38.33; \$6.66 saved

  9. A \$600 payment is made on a balance of \$1,800 on day 1, or on day 30. Find the average daily balance in each case.
    Show the full solution

    Day 1: the balance is \$1,200 for all 30 days, an average of \$1,200.00. Day 30: the balance is \$1,800 for 29 days and \$1,200 for 1, so \( \dfrac{1800 \times 29 + 1200}{30} = 1780 \). \$1,200.00 and \$1,780.00

  10. A student uses the ending balance of \$1,100 instead of the average daily balance of \$1,263.33 in the worked example. Find the interest each way at 1.8 percent a month and the error.
    Show the full solution

    Ending balance: \( 1100 \times 0.018 = 19.80 \). Average daily balance: \( 1263.33 \times 0.018 = 22.74 \). The student understated the interest by \$2.94. The lender charges on what was owed on each day, not on the last day's figure. \$22.74, not \$19.80

Lesson 6.4 · Unit 6 · N-Q.3

The charges beyond the interest

The APR is only part of what a card costs. Fees for paying late, for a yearly membership, for cash, for foreign purchases and for moving a balance all add to the bill. Each is small beside a mortgage and large beside the purchase that triggered it, so each is measured against its own base.

The method
  1. A late fee is charged when the minimum payment is not received by the due date. This course uses \$35.
  2. An annual fee is charged each year for holding the card. Divide by 12 for the monthly cost, and compare it with the rewards.
  3. A cash advance costs a fee, usually 5 percent with a minimum of \$10, and interest from the day of the advance at a higher rate, with no grace period.
  4. A foreign transaction fee is a percent, often 3 percent, of each purchase made abroad or with a foreign merchant.
  5. A balance transfer moves debt to a card with a low or zero promotional rate, for a fee of a few percent of the amount moved.
  6. A transfer saves money only if the interest avoided exceeds the fee, and the balance is paid off before the promotional rate ends.
  7. Rewards have a cost. Cash back of 1.5 percent on \$6,000 is \$90, but it is lost many times over if a balance is carried at a high rate.
  8. Express a fee as a percent of what it was charged on, to judge its real size.

Where students lose marks: forgetting the interest on a cash advance. The 5 percent fee is paid at once, and interest at the higher rate begins immediately. A \$500 advance costs \$25 for the fee plus \$12.32 for the first 30 days, not just the \$25.

Worked example

The problem. (a) Find the cost of a \$500 cash advance held for 30 days at 29.99 percent with a 5 percent fee (minimum \$10). (b) A cardholder moves a \$3,000 balance from a 24.99 percent card to a zero-rate card for 15 months with a 3 percent fee. Find the fee and the interest avoided if the balance were left alone. (c) Find the monthly cost of a \$95 annual fee. (d) Find the late fee as a percent of a missed \$25 minimum payment.

Step one: the fee for (a). Five percent of \$500 is \$25.00, above the \$10 minimum.

Step two: the interest. \( 500 \times \dfrac{0.2999}{365} \times 30 = 12.32 \) dollars.

Step three: the total for (a). \( 25.00 + 12.32 = 37.32 \) dollars to borrow \$500 for a month, which is 7.46 percent of the amount.

Step four: the transfer fee for (b). \( 0.03 \times 3000 = 90 \) dollars.

Step five: the interest avoided. At 24.99 percent compounded monthly for 15 months, the \$3,000 would grow to \( 3000 \times (1.020825)^{15} = 4086.87 \), so the interest would be \$1,086.87.

Step six: the net saving. \( 1086.87 - 90 = 996.87 \) dollars, provided the balance is paid before the promotional period ends.

Step seven: the annual fee for (c) and the late fee for (d). A \$95 fee is \( \dfrac{95}{12} = 7.92 \) dollars a month. A \$35 late fee on a \$25 minimum is \( \dfrac{35}{25} \times 100 = 140 \) percent.

Step eight: state the answers. The cash advance costs \$37.32; the transfer costs \$90 and saves about \$996.87; the annual fee is \$7.92 a month; the late fee is 140 percent of the missed payment. The fees that look small are the ones charged on small amounts.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A foreign transaction fee of 3 percent applies to a \$420 purchase. Find the fee.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.03 \times 420 = 12.60 \). \$12.60

  2. A cardholder pays late three times in a year, at \$35 each. Find the fees.
    Show the full solution

    \( 3 \times 35 = 105 \). \$105.00

  3. An annual fee is \$95. Find the monthly cost.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{95}{12} = 7.92 \). \$7.92

  4. Find the cash advance fee on \$500 and on \$100 at 5 percent with a \$10 minimum.
    Show the full solution

    On \$500: \( 0.05 \times 500 = 25 \). On \$100: \( 0.05 \times 100 = 5 \), which is below the minimum, so the fee is \$10. \$25.00 and \$10.00

  5. Find the interest on a \$500 cash advance for 30 days at 29.99 percent, and the total cost with the \$25 fee.
    Show the full solution

    \( 500 \times \dfrac{0.2999}{365} \times 30 = 12.32 \), and \( 25 + 12.32 = 37.32 \). \$12.32 interest; \$37.32 total

  6. A balance transfer of \$5,000 has a fee of 3 percent with a \$5 minimum. Find the fee.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.03 \times 5000 = 150 \). \$150.00

  7. A card gives 1.5 percent cash back on \$6,000 of spending. The holder also carries an average balance of \$800 at 24 percent. Find the rewards, the interest and the net.
    Show the full solution

    Rewards: \( 0.015 \times 6000 = 90 \). Interest: \( 0.24 \times 800 = 192 \) per year. Net: \( 90 - 192 = -102 \). The interest cost more than the rewards earned. A net loss of \$102.00

  8. A card charges a \$95 annual fee and gives 1.5 percent cash back on \$4,000 of spending. Find the net value of the card.
    Show the full solution

    Rewards \( 0.015 \times 4000 = 60 \). Net \( 60 - 95 = -35 \). The card loses \$35 a year at this spending level. A loss of \$35.00

  9. A \$4,000 balance on a 22.99 percent card is moved to a zero-rate card for 12 months with a 3 percent fee. Find the net saving if the balance is otherwise left alone.
    Show the full solution

    Interest avoided: \( 4000 \times [(1.019158)^{12} - 1] = 1022.96 \). Fee: \( 0.03 \times 4000 = 120 \). Net saving \( 1022.96 - 120 = 902.96 \). \$902.96

  10. A student says, "A \$35 late fee is small compared with my \$2,000 limit." Find the fee as a percent of the \$25 minimum payment that was missed, and correct the comparison.
    Show the full solution

    The fee is \( \dfrac{35}{25} \times 100 = 140 \) percent of the payment that was late. The right comparison is with what the fee was charged on, not with the limit. Paying the \$25 a few days early would have avoided a charge larger than the payment. 140 percent of the missed payment

Lesson 6.5 · Unit 6 · S-ID.1

The number that decides what you pay to borrow

A credit score is a single number, usually between 300 and 850, computed from the record of how you have handled debt. Lenders use it to decide whether to lend and at what rate. The score comes from five factors with known weights, and one of them, the share of available credit in use, is easy to compute and easy to change.

The method
  1. A credit report is the record. It lists accounts, balances, limits, payment history and inquiries, compiled by credit bureaus.
  2. A credit score is computed from the report. Scores run from 300 to 850, and a higher score means lower risk.
  3. Five factors, with approximate weights: payment history 35 percent, amounts owed 30 percent, length of credit history 15 percent, new credit 10 percent, and mix of credit 10 percent. The weights add to 100 percent.
  4. Payment history is the largest factor. A missed payment does the most damage and stays on the report for years.
  5. Credit utilization is the balance divided by the limit, times 100, and lenders prefer it below 30 percent.
  6. Utilization is computed in total and on each card. Total balances divided by total limits, and each card's balance divided by its own limit.
  7. Paying down a balance lowers utilization at once. Raising the limit does too, if the balance does not rise.
  8. Closing a card lowers the total limit, which raises utilization, and it also shortens the average age of the accounts.

Where students lose marks: the wrong denominator. Utilization divides by the credit limit, not by the income or the balance. A \$900 balance on a \$1,000 card is 90 percent, and it does not matter how large the student's paycheck is.

Worked example

The problem. A person has two cards. Card A has a limit of \$2,500 and a balance of \$1,900. Card B has a limit of \$5,000 and a balance of \$1,100. (a) Find the total utilization. (b) Find the utilization of each card. (c) Find the balance that brings total utilization to 30 percent. (d) Find the payment needed and the utilization after paying \$1,000.

Step one: the totals for (a). Total limit \( 2500 + 5000 = 7500 \). Total balance \( 1900 + 1100 = 3000 \).

Step two: total utilization. \( \dfrac{3000}{7500} \times 100 = 40 \) percent, above the 30 percent guideline.

Step three: each card for (b). Card A: \( \dfrac{1900}{2500} = 76 \) percent. Card B: \( \dfrac{1100}{5000} = 22 \) percent.

Step four: interpret. Card A is nearly maxed out, which a score model notices even though the total is moderate. The total is 40 percent only because Card B has room.

Step five: the target for (c). A balance of 30 percent of the total limit is \( 0.30 \times 7500 = 2250 \).

Step six: the payment for (d). The balance must fall from \$3,000 to \$2,250, which is a payment of \( 3000 - 2250 = 750 \) dollars.

Step seven: a \$1,000 payment. The balance becomes \$2,000, and utilization is \( \dfrac{2000}{7500} \times 100 = 26.67 \) percent. Applied to Card A, it brings that card to \( \dfrac{900}{2500} = 36 \) percent.

Step eight: state the answers. Total utilization is 40 percent; the cards are at 76 and 22 percent; \$750 reaches the 30 percent guideline; and \$1,000 gives 26.67 percent. Paying down the card with the highest utilization helps the most.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A card has a \$600 balance and a \$2,000 limit. Find the utilization.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{600}{2000} \times 100 = 30 \). 30 percent

  2. A card has a \$900 balance and a \$3,000 limit. Find the utilization.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{900}{3000} \times 100 = 30 \). 30 percent

  3. Two cards have limits of \$1,000 and \$4,000 and balances of \$250 and \$1,250. Find the total utilization.
    Show the full solution

    Balances total \$1,500 and limits total \$5,000: \( \dfrac{1500}{5000} = 30 \) percent. 30 percent

  4. A card with an \$8,000 limit has a \$3,200 balance. How much must be paid to reach 30 percent utilization?
    Show the full solution

    Thirty percent of the limit is \( 0.30 \times 8000 = 2400 \). The payment is \( 3200 - 2400 = 800 \). \$800

  5. The five score factors have weights of 35, 30, 15, 10 and 10 percent. Find the sum and name the largest.
    Show the full solution

    \( 35 + 30 + 15 + 10 + 10 = 100 \). The largest is payment history, 35 percent. 100 percent; payment history

  6. A person has a \$1,500 balance on total limits of \$5,000 and is approved for a new card with a \$2,000 limit, with no change in balance. Find the new utilization.
    Show the full solution

    The new total limit is \$7,000: \( \dfrac{1500}{7000} \times 100 = 21.43 \), down from 30 percent. 21.43 percent

  7. A card has a \$5,000 limit. What balance is 40 percent utilization?
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.40 \times 5000 = 2000 \). \$2,000

  8. A \$900 balance sits on a \$1,000 card, and the person's total limits are \$6,000. Find the utilization on the card and overall.
    Show the full solution

    On the card: \( \dfrac{900}{1000} = 90 \) percent. Overall: \( \dfrac{900}{6000} = 15 \) percent. The overall figure looks healthy but the single card is maxed out, which scoring models also penalize. 90 percent on the card; 15 percent overall

  9. A person has two cards with limits of \$1,000 and \$4,000 and a total balance of \$500 on the smaller card. Find the utilization before and after closing the \$4,000 card.
    Show the full solution

    Before: \( \dfrac{500}{5000} = 10 \) percent. After closing the larger card: \( \dfrac{500}{1000} = 50 \) percent. Closing the card removed \$4,000 of limit and raised utilization five times over. 10 percent, then 50 percent

  10. A student says, "My income is high, so my utilization is low." Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    Utilization divides the balance by the credit limit, and income does not appear in it. A person earning any amount who owes \$900 on a \$1,000 card has a utilization of 90 percent. Utilization depends on the balance and the limit only

Lesson 6.6 · Unit 6 · N-Q.3

The same loan at four different prices

A score is worth what it saves, and it saves it in the interest rate. The same loan, for the same amount and term, costs thousands of dollars more for a borrower with a low score. Turning rate differences into monthly payments and total interest makes the stakes concrete.

The method
  1. Lenders price risk. A lower score means a higher chance of default, so a higher rate.
  2. This course uses a teaching table for a 60-month car loan: 5.0 percent for scores of 760 and above, 6.5 percent for 700 to 759, 9.5 percent for 640 to 699, and 13.5 percent for 580 to 639. These are illustrative, not current market rates.
  3. The monthly payment is \( M = P \cdot \dfrac{i}{1 - (1 + i)^{-n}} \), with \( i \) the monthly rate and \( n \) the number of payments.
  4. Total paid is \( M \times n \), and total interest is total paid minus the amount borrowed.
  5. Compare two borrowers by subtracting payments and total interest.
  6. Small rate differences are large in dollars on a large loan or a long term, as a mortgage will show.
  7. Improving the score before borrowing is worth the effort if the saving is a large multiple of the effort.
  8. Shop for a rate in a short window. Several loan inquiries for one loan within a few weeks are usually counted as one.

Where students lose marks: comparing payments only. A longer term can give a lower payment and a larger total cost. Compare the total interest, and keep the term the same when comparing rates.

Worked example

The problem. Four borrowers each take a \$20,000 loan for 60 months at the rates in the teaching table. (a) Find each monthly payment. (b) Find each borrower's total interest. (c) Compare the best and worst. (d) Compare the top two.

Step one: name the givens. \( P = 20000 \), \( n = 60 \), and annual rates of 5.0, 6.5, 9.5 and 13.5 percent, so \( i = \dfrac{r}{12} \).

Step two: the 5.0 percent borrower. \( i = 0.004167 \): \( M = 20000 \times \dfrac{0.004167}{1 - (1.004167)^{-60}} = 377.42 \). Total paid \( 377.42 \times 60 = 22645.20 \), so interest is \$2,645.20.

Step three: the 6.5 percent borrower. \( M = 391.32 \); total paid \$23,479.20; interest \$3,479.20.

Step four: the 9.5 percent borrower. \( M = 420.04 \); total paid \$25,202.40; interest \$5,202.40.

Step five: the 13.5 percent borrower. \( M = 460.20 \); total paid \$27,612.00; interest \$7,612.00.

Step six: best against worst for (c). The payment difference is \( 460.20 - 377.42 = 82.78 \) dollars a month. The interest difference is \( 7612.00 - 2645.20 = 4966.80 \) dollars.

Step seven: the top two for (d). The 700-to-759 borrower pays \( 3479.20 - 2645.20 = 834.00 \) dollars more than the 760-and-above borrower.

Step eight: state the answers. Payments \$377.42, \$391.32, \$420.04 and \$460.20; interest \$2,645.20, \$3,479.20, \$5,202.40 and \$7,612.00. The lowest-score borrower pays \$4,966.80 more than the highest, which is 187.8 percent more interest, for the same car and the same loan.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the monthly payment and total interest on \$10,000 for 48 months at 5.0 percent and at 9.5 percent.
    Show the full solution

    At 5.0 percent: \( M = 230.29 \), total paid \$11,053.92, interest \$1,053.92. At 9.5 percent: \( M = 251.23 \), total paid \$12,059.04, interest \$2,059.04. \$230.29 and \$251.23; interest \$1,053.92 and \$2,059.04

  2. In the last problem, find the extra interest the lower-score borrower pays.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2059.04 - 1053.92 = 1005.12 \). \$1,005.12

  3. Find the monthly payment and total interest on \$18,000 for 60 months at 6.5 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( M = 352.19 \); total paid \( 352.19 \times 60 = 21131.40 \); interest \( 21131.40 - 18000 = 3131.40 \). \$352.19; \$3,131.40

  4. Find the monthly payment on \$8,000 for 60 months at 13.5 percent, and the total interest.
    Show the full solution

    \( M = 184.08 \); total paid \$11,044.80; interest \$3,044.80, which is 38.06 percent of the amount borrowed. \$184.08; \$3,044.80

  5. Find the extra interest paid on \$12,000 for 36 months at 13.5 percent rather than 9.5 percent.
    Show the full solution

    At 9.5 percent: \( M = 384.40 \), interest \$1,838.40. At 13.5 percent: \( M = 407.22 \), interest \$2,659.92. The extra is \( 2659.92 - 1838.40 = 821.52 \). \$821.52

  6. On a \$250,000 30-year mortgage, find the payment at 6.5 percent and at 7.0 percent.
    Show the full solution

    At 6.5 percent: \$1,580.17. At 7.0 percent: \$1,663.26. The monthly difference is \$83.09. \$1,580.17 and \$1,663.26

  7. Over the 360 payments, find the extra cost of the half-point higher rate.
    Show the full solution

    \( 83.09 \times 360 = 29912.40 \). A difference of half a percentage point on a mortgage costs nearly \$30,000. \$29,912.40

  8. A borrower in the 640-to-699 range raises her score into the 700-to-759 range before taking the \$20,000, 60-month loan. Find the interest she saves and the saving per month.
    Show the full solution

    Moving from 9.5 percent to 6.5 percent saves \( 5202.40 - 3479.20 = 1723.20 \) dollars, which is \( \dfrac{1723.20}{60} = 28.72 \) dollars a month. \$1,723.20 saved; \$28.72 a month

  9. What percent more interest does the lowest-score borrower pay than the highest in the example?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{7612.00 - 2645.20}{2645.20} \times 100 = 187.8 \). 187.8 percent more

  10. A student says, "My score only matters for getting approved, not for what I pay." Use the example to correct this.
    Show the full solution

    Approval is only the first effect. Among approved borrowers, the score sets the rate, and the rate sets the cost. On the same \$20,000 loan the borrower with the lowest approved score pays \$4,966.80 more interest than the borrower with the highest, about \$82.78 a month. The score sets the price, not just the decision

Lesson 6.7 · Unit 6 · N-Q.3

Which debt to attack first

Most borrowers owe several debts at once, and every debt has its own rate, balance and minimum payment. A plan has to decide where extra money goes. Two standard plans give different orders, and they can be compared exactly.

The method
  1. Always pay every minimum, to avoid late fees and damage to the score.
  2. Fix a monthly budget equal to the sum of the minimums plus the extra amount, and keep it constant as debts are cleared.
  3. The avalanche method puts the extra money on the debt with the highest interest rate first.
  4. The snowball method puts the extra money on the smallest balance first.
  5. When a debt is cleared, its minimum and extra payment roll into the next target, so the total payment never falls.
  6. The avalanche costs the least interest, because the dollars go where they save the most.
  7. The snowball clears a debt sooner, which can help a borrower stay with the plan, at a modest extra cost.
  8. Compare plans by the months to clear everything and by total interest. Simulate each month: add interest, subtract payments, record balances.

Where students lose marks: forgetting to roll the payments. When a debt is cleared, the freed minimum must go to the next target; otherwise the budget shrinks and the plan slows down. Keep the total monthly payment constant.

Worked example

The problem. A borrower owes \$1,200 at 26 percent (minimum \$35), \$4,500 at 19 percent (minimum \$90) and \$800 at 12 percent (minimum \$25). She can pay \$150 a month beyond the minimums. (a) Find the monthly budget. (b) Find the first month's interest. (c) Follow the first month under each plan. (d) Compare the plans over their whole lives.

Step one: the budget for (a). The minimums sum to \( 35 + 90 + 25 = 150 \), and the extra is \$150, so the budget is \$300 a month.

Step two: the first month's interest for (b). \( 1200 \times \dfrac{0.26}{12} = 26.00 \), \( 4500 \times \dfrac{0.19}{12} = 71.25 \) and \( 800 \times \dfrac{0.12}{12} = 8.00 \). The total is \$105.25.

Step three: the avalanche targets the 26 percent debt. After minimums, the extra \$150 goes to it: balance \( 1200 + 26 - 35 - 150 = 1041.00 \). The others are \( 4500 + 71.25 - 90 = 4481.25 \) and \( 800 + 8 - 25 = 783.00 \).

Step four: the snowball targets the \$800 balance. After minimums, the extra goes to it: \( 800 + 8 - 25 - 150 = 633.00 \). The others are \$1,191.00 and \$4,481.25.

Step five: run the schedules for (d). The avalanche clears the 26 percent debt in month 8, the 19 percent debt in month 26 and the last in month 27. The snowball clears the \$800 debt in month 5, the 26 percent debt in month 11 and the last in month 27.

Step six: compare the costs. Both finish in 27 months. The avalanche costs \$1,454.62 in interest and the snowball \$1,584.05. The snowball costs \( 1584.05 - 1454.62 = 129.43 \) dollars more.

Step seven: compare with minimums only. Paying only the minimums takes 76 months and costs \$4,897.84 in interest. The plan saves \( 4897.84 - 1454.62 = 3443.22 \) dollars and 49 months.

Step eight: state the answers. A budget of \$300 a month clears the debts in 27 months under either plan. The avalanche saves \$129.43 over the snowball; the snowball delivers its first cleared debt in month 5 instead of month 8. Either is far better than paying the minimums alone, which costs \$3,443.22 more.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Refer to the debts in the worked example.

  1. Which debt does the avalanche method target first?
    Show the full solution

    The one with the highest rate, the 26 percent debt of \$1,200. The 26 percent debt

  2. Which debt does the snowball method target first?
    Show the full solution

    The one with the smallest balance, the \$800 debt at 12 percent. The \$800 debt

  3. Find the monthly budget if the minimums are \$35, \$90 and \$25 and the extra is \$150.
    Show the full solution

    \( 35 + 90 + 25 + 150 = 300 \). \$300.00

  4. Find the total interest charged in the first month on the three debts.
    Show the full solution

    \( 26.00 + 71.25 + 8.00 = 105.25 \). \$105.25

  5. Under the avalanche, find the balance of the 26 percent debt after the first month.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1200 + 26 - 35 - 150 = 1041 \). \$1,041.00

  6. Under the snowball, find the balance of the \$800 debt after the first month.
    Show the full solution

    \( 800 + 8 - 25 - 150 = 633 \). \$633.00

  7. Find the interest the avalanche saves over the snowball.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1584.05 - 1454.62 = 129.43 \). \$129.43

  8. In which month does each method clear its first debt?
    Show the full solution

    The avalanche clears the 26 percent debt in month 8. The snowball clears the \$800 debt in month 5. The snowball gets its first win three months sooner. Avalanche month 8; snowball month 5

  9. Compare the \$150-extra plan with paying only minimums in months and interest.
    Show the full solution

    Minimums only: 76 months and \$4,897.84 in interest. The avalanche plan: 27 months and \$1,454.62. The plan saves 49 months and \$3,443.22. 49 months and \$3,443.22 saved

  10. A borrower owes \$2,000 at 24 percent (minimum \$50) and \$6,000 at 12 percent (minimum \$120) and can add \$100. Putting the extra on the 24 percent debt clears everything in 37 months for \$1,771.61 of interest; putting it on the 12 percent debt takes 39 months and costs \$2,313.17. Find the saving and explain it.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2313.17 - 1771.61 = 541.56 \) dollars and 2 months. Extra dollars reduce a balance that charges 24 percent instead of one that charges 12 percent, so each dollar avoids twice the interest. The avalanche always applies the money where it saves the most. \$541.56 and 2 months saved by targeting the higher rate

Unit 6 review · 10 problems · all lessons

Unit 6 review: Credit Cards

These are shuffled across all seven lessons. Interest is charged before the payment is applied, and APR is a yearly rate.

  1. A card has a 19.8% APR, charged monthly. Find the monthly rate and the interest on a \$2,400 balance.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.198 \div 12 = 0.0165 \), which is 1.65%. \( 2400(0.0165) \). 1.65% and \$39.60

  2. The balance is \$2,400 at 1.65% a month and the cardholder pays \$120. Find the new balance and the part of the payment that reduced the principal.
    Show the full solution

    Interest \( \$39.60 \) is added first: \( 2400 + 39.60 - 120 = \$2{,}319.60 \). Principal part \( 120 - 39.60 \). \$2,319.60; \$80.40 went to principal

  3. A card's minimum payment is 3% of the balance or \$35, whichever is larger. The balance is \$1,200 and the APR is 18%. Find the minimum payment and how much of it is principal.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.03(1200) = \$36 \), larger than \$35. Interest \( 1200(0.015) = \$18 \). Principal \( 36 - 18 \). \$36 minimum; \$18 is principal

  4. A \$3,000 balance at 21% APR is paid down with a fixed \$150 a month and no new charges. How many months does it take, and what is the total paid?
    Show the full solution

    Monthly rate \( 0.0175 \). \( 1 - \dfrac{3000(0.0175)}{150} = 0.65 \), so \( n = -\dfrac{\ln 0.65}{\ln 1.0175} = \dfrac{0.430783}{0.017349} = 24.8 \), which rounds up to 25 payments, the last one smaller. Running the balance forward month by month confirms it. 25 months; total about \$3,724.82

  5. In a 30-day cycle a card starts at \$1,200 for 10 days, rises to \$1,650 for 12 days after a purchase, then falls to \$1,150 for 8 days after a payment. Find the average daily balance, and the interest at 1.5% a month.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1200(10) + 1650(12) + 1150(8)}{30} = \dfrac{12000 + 19800 + 9200}{30} = \dfrac{41000}{30} = 1{,}366.67 \). Interest \( 0.015(1{,}366.6667) \). \$1,366.67 and \$20.50

  6. A \$400 cash advance carries a 5% fee and 27% APR interest from day one. Find the total cost if it is repaid after 20 days.
    Show the full solution

    Fee \( 0.05(400) = \$20 \). Interest \( 400(0.27)\dfrac{20}{365} = 5.9178 \). Add. \$25.92

  7. A borrower with a high credit score is offered 6.0% and another with a lower score 8.4%, both on \$18,000 for 5 years paid monthly. Find the extra interest the lower score costs.
    Show the full solution

    Payments: \$347.99 and \$368.43 (each checked by running the balance to zero). Extra over 60 months \( 60(368.43 - 347.99) \). about \$1,226.40 more in interest

  8. A cardholder has balances of \$1,450 and \$900 on cards with limits of \$5,000 and \$3,000. Find the utilization and the amount to pay down to reach 10%.
    Show the full solution

    Utilization \( \dfrac{2350}{8000} = 0.29375 \). Ten percent of \$8,000 is \$800, so the total must fall by \( 2350 - 800 \). about 29.4%; pay down \$1,550

  9. Debts: \$800 at 24% APR, \$2,500 at 16% and \$1,200 at 29%. Which does the avalanche method attack first, which does the snowball method, and what is the first month's interest on all three?
    Show the full solution

    Avalanche targets the highest rate (29%). Snowball targets the smallest balance (\$800). Interest: \( 800(0.02) = \$16 \), \( 2500(0.013333) = \$33.33 \), \( 1200(0.024167) = \$29 \). Avalanche: the \$1,200 card; snowball: the \$800 card; interest \$78.33 in the first month

  10. A student reads an 18% APR as 18% interest charged every month on a \$1,000 balance. Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    APR is a yearly rate. The monthly rate is \( 0.18 \div 12 = 0.015 \), so a month costs \( 1000(0.015) = \$15 \), not \( 1000(0.18) = \$180 \). \$15 a month, not \$180

Lesson 7.1 · Unit 7 · A-SSE.4

The payment that clears a loan exactly

An installment loan is repaid in equal payments over a fixed term. Each payment covers the interest that has built up and pays down some of the amount owed, and the payment is chosen so that the last one leaves the balance at exactly zero. The formula that does this is the present value of an annuity from Lesson 5.7, solved for the payment.

The method
  1. A loan has a principal \( P \), an annual rate \( r \), and a term of \( n \) monthly payments. Write the monthly rate as \( i = \dfrac{r}{12} \).
  2. The loan is the present value of its payments. The amount borrowed equals the payments discounted to today.
  3. Solving for the payment gives \( M = P \cdot \dfrac{i}{1 - (1 + i)^{-n}} \).
  4. Keep the full value of \( i \) through the calculation. Rounding the monthly rate changes the payment by several dollars.
  5. The total paid is \( M \times n \).
  6. The total interest is the total paid minus \( P \).
  7. The last payment is a few cents different because the payment is rounded to the cent. Lenders adjust it to leave the balance at zero.
  8. Check the size. The payment must exceed \( P/n \) and the first month's interest \( Pi \) must be smaller than the payment, or the balance would never fall.

Where students lose marks: rounding too early and using simple interest. A simple-interest estimate treats the whole principal as owed for the whole term, which overstates the cost, because the balance falls with every payment. Use the formula with the exact monthly rate.

Worked example

The problem. A buyer borrows \$12,000 at 6.9 percent for 48 months. (a) Find the monthly rate and the number of payments. (b) Find the monthly payment. (c) Find the total paid and the total interest. (d) Express the interest as a percent of the amount borrowed.

Step one: name the givens. \( P = 12000 \), \( r = 0.069 \), \( n = 48 \).

Step two: the monthly rate for (a). \( i = \dfrac{0.069}{12} = 0.00575 \). There are 48 payments.

Step three: the discount factor. \( (1.00575)^{-48} = 0.759413 \), so \( 1 - (1.00575)^{-48} = 0.240587 \).

Step four: the payment for (b). \( M = 12000 \times \dfrac{0.00575}{0.240587} = 12000 \times 0.023900 = 286.80 \) dollars.

Step five: the total paid for (c). \( 286.80 \times 48 = 13{,}766.40 \) dollars.

Step six: the interest. \( 13766.40 - 12000 = 1766.40 \) dollars.

Step seven: the percent for (d). \( \dfrac{1766.40}{12000} \times 100 = 14.72 \) percent of the amount borrowed.

Step eight: state the answers. The payment is \$286.80 a month, the total paid is \$13,766.40 and the interest is \$1,766.40. The simple-interest estimate, \( 12000 \times 0.069 \times 4 = 3312 \), would have overstated the interest by \$1,545.60, because the loan balance shrinks with every payment.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Payments are monthly.

  1. Find the payment and total interest on \$5,000 at 8 percent for 24 months.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.006667 \). \( M = 5000 \times \dfrac{0.006667}{1 - (1.006667)^{-24}} = 226.14 \). Total paid \( 226.14 \times 24 = 5427.36 \), interest \$427.36. \$226.14; \$427.36

  2. Find the payment and total interest on \$9,000 at 6 percent for 36 months.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.005 \). \( M = 9000 \times \dfrac{0.005}{1 - (1.005)^{-36}} = 273.80 \). Total paid \$9,856.80, interest \$856.80. \$273.80; \$856.80

  3. Find the payment and total interest on \$15,000 at 7.5 percent for 60 months.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.00625 \). \( M = 300.57 \). Total paid \( 300.57 \times 60 = 18034.20 \), interest \$3,034.20. \$300.57; \$3,034.20

  4. Find the payment and total interest on \$2,500 at 12 percent for 12 months.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.01 \). \( M = 2500 \times \dfrac{0.01}{1 - (1.01)^{-12}} = 222.12 \). Total paid \$2,665.44, interest \$165.44. \$222.12; \$165.44

  5. Find the payment and total interest on \$30,000 at 5.9 percent for 72 months.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.004917 \). \( M = 495.77 \). Total paid \( 495.77 \times 72 = 35695.44 \), interest \$5,695.44. \$495.77; \$5,695.44

  6. Find the payment and total interest on \$8,000 at 6.9 percent for 36 months.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.00575 \). \( M = 246.65 \). Total paid \$8,879.40, interest \$879.40. \$246.65; \$879.40

  7. A buyer can pay \$350 a month for 60 months at 7.2 percent. Find the most she can borrow.
    Show the full solution

    The loan is the present value of the payments: \( P = M \times \dfrac{1 - (1 + i)^{-n}}{i} = 350 \times \dfrac{1 - (1.006)^{-60}}{0.006} = 350 \times 50.2621 = 17591.75 \). \$17,591.75

  8. How many payments does it take to repay \$12,000 at 6.9 percent if the borrower pays \$300 a month?
    Show the full solution

    \( n = \dfrac{-\ln(1 - Pi/M)}{\ln(1 + i)} = \dfrac{-\ln(1 - 69/300)}{\ln 1.00575} = \dfrac{0.261365}{0.005734} = 45.59 \). That is 46 payments, the last one smaller. 46 payments

  9. A student estimates the payment on a \$12,000, 48-month loan at 6.9 percent with simple interest: \( \dfrac{12000 + 12000 \times 0.069 \times 4}{48} = 319.00 \). Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    Simple interest charges 6.9 percent on the full \$12,000 for all four years. A loan balance falls with every payment, so interest is charged only on what is still owed. The correct payment is \$286.80, and the estimate is \$32.20 a month too high. \$286.80

  10. A student rounds the monthly rate in the worked example from 0.00575 to 0.0058 and gets a payment of \$287.13. How much does the rounding cost over the loan?
    Show the full solution

    The exact payment is \$286.80, so the rounded one is \$0.33 high. Over 48 payments that is \( 0.33 \times 48 = 15.84 \) dollars. Keep the full rate until the final answer. About \$15.84

Lesson 7.2 · Unit 7 · A-SSE.4

Where each payment actually goes

An amortization table lists every payment of a loan and splits it into interest and principal. It answers a question the payment formula hides: how much of a given payment is cost and how much is progress. Early payments are mostly interest, late payments mostly principal, and the shift is the reason that paying a loan off early saves so much.

The method
  1. A row holds the payment number, the interest, the principal and the balance after the payment.
  2. The interest is the previous balance times the monthly rate, rounded to the cent.
  3. The principal is the payment minus the interest.
  4. The new balance is the old balance minus the principal.
  5. The payment is the same every month, so as the interest falls the principal rises by the same amount.
  6. The principal rises slowly at first and quickly at the end. Each month's principal is the previous month's principal times \( 1 + i \).
  7. The last row ends at zero, with the final payment adjusted by a few cents.
  8. The interest column adds to the total interest. The principal column adds to the amount borrowed.

Where students lose marks: computing interest on the original principal every month. The interest each month is on the current balance, which falls. Using the original amount in every row makes the interest column constant and the table never ends at zero.

Worked example

The problem. A loan of \$5,000 at 9 percent is repaid over 12 months. (a) Find the payment. (b) Build the first three rows. (c) Find the last two rows. (d) Find the total interest.

Step one: the payment for (a). \( i = \dfrac{0.09}{12} = 0.0075 \). \( M = 5000 \times \dfrac{0.0075}{1 - (1.0075)^{-12}} = 437.26 \) dollars.

Step two: row 1 for (b). Interest \( 5000 \times 0.0075 = 37.50 \). Principal \( 437.26 - 37.50 = 399.76 \). Balance \( 5000 - 399.76 = 4600.24 \).

Step three: row 2. Interest \( 4600.24 \times 0.0075 = 34.50 \). Principal \( 437.26 - 34.50 = 402.76 \). Balance \( 4600.24 - 402.76 = 4197.48 \).

Step four: row 3. Interest \( 4197.48 \times 0.0075 = 31.48 \). Principal \( 437.26 - 31.48 = 405.78 \). Balance \( 4197.48 - 405.78 = 3791.70 \).

Step five: look at the pattern. The interest falls \$3.00, then \$3.02. The principal rises \$3.00, then \$3.02. Each principal is the last times 1.0075, for example \( 399.76 \times 1.0075 = 402.76 \).

Step six: the last rows for (c). Row 11 has interest \$6.49, principal \$430.77 and balance \$433.97. Row 12 has interest \$3.25 and principal \$433.97, so the final payment is \( 433.97 + 3.25 = 437.22 \) and the balance is \$0.00.

Step seven: total interest for (d). Adding the twelve interest entries gives \$247.08. Check: \( 437.26 \times 12 - 5000 = 247.12 \), four cents off because the final payment is four cents smaller.

Step eight: state the answers. Payment \$437.26; the first payment is 91.4 percent principal and 8.6 percent interest, and the last is 99.3 percent principal; total interest \$247.08. The mix shifts month by month while the payment stays fixed.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A \$10,000 loan at 6 percent has a monthly payment of \$304.22 for 36 months. Find the interest in month 1.
    Show the full solution

    \( 10000 \times \dfrac{0.06}{12} = 10000 \times 0.005 = 50.00 \). \$50.00

  2. For that loan, find the principal paid and the balance after month 1.
    Show the full solution

    Principal \( 304.22 - 50.00 = 254.22 \). Balance \( 10000 - 254.22 = 9745.78 \). \$254.22; \$9,745.78

  3. Find the interest in month 2 of that loan.
    Show the full solution

    \( 9745.78 \times 0.005 = 48.73 \). \$48.73

  4. A \$3,000 loan at 12 percent over 6 months has a payment of \$517.65. Find month 1: the interest, principal and balance.
    Show the full solution

    Interest \( 3000 \times 0.01 = 30.00 \). Principal \( 517.65 - 30.00 = 487.65 \). Balance \( 3000 - 487.65 = 2512.35 \). \$30.00; \$487.65; \$2,512.35

  5. For the same loan, find the interest in month 2.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2512.35 \times 0.01 = 25.12 \). \$25.12

  6. A \$20,000 loan at 6 percent for 60 months has a payment of \$386.66. What percent of the first payment is interest, and of the last?
    Show the full solution

    The first interest is \( 20000 \times 0.005 = 100.00 \), which is \( \dfrac{100}{386.66} = 25.86 \) percent. In the last month the interest is \$1.92, which is \( \dfrac{1.92}{386.66} = 0.50 \) percent. 25.86 percent; 0.50 percent

  7. A \$200,000 mortgage at 6.5 percent for 30 years has a payment of \$1,264.14. Find the interest and principal in month 1, and the interest as a percent of the payment.
    Show the full solution

    Interest \( 200000 \times \dfrac{0.065}{12} = 1083.33 \). Principal \( 1264.14 - 1083.33 = 180.81 \). The interest share is \( \dfrac{1083.33}{1264.14} = 85.7 \) percent. \$1,083.33; \$180.81; 85.7 percent

  8. On that mortgage, the balance after 12 payments is \$197,764.50. Find the principal paid in the first year.
    Show the full solution

    \( 200000 - 197764.50 = 2235.50 \). After a year of payments totaling \( 12 \times 1264.14 = 15169.68 \), only \$2,235.50 has reduced the debt. \$2,235.50

  9. After 120 payments the mortgage balance is \$169,551.54. Find the principal paid in ten years and the percent of the loan.
    Show the full solution

    \( 200000 - 169551.54 = 30448.46 \), which is \( \dfrac{30448.46}{200000} \times 100 = 15.2 \) percent. One third of the term has retired only 15 percent of the loan. \$30,448.46; 15.2 percent

  10. A student says that in an amortized loan the principal paid is the same each month. Find the error using the \$5,000 example.
    Show the full solution

    The payment is the same each month, but the interest falls as the balance falls, so the principal rises. In the example the principal was \$399.76 in month 1 and \$433.97 in month 12, each month's principal being the last one times 1.0075. Payment is level; principal rises

Lesson 7.3 · Unit 7 · A-SSE.4

Why a lower payment can cost more

Stretching a loan over more months lowers the payment and raises the total cost. Lenders and sellers often quote only the payment, because it is the smaller number. A borrower who compares loans by payment alone is choosing the price that is easiest to see, not the one that costs least.

The method
  1. Fix the principal and the rate and vary the term. Compute the payment for each term.
  2. A longer term lowers the payment because the principal is spread over more months.
  3. A longer term raises the total interest because the balance stays high for longer.
  4. Total interest is \( M \times n - P \). The final payment differs by a few cents, so this is exact to about that much.
  5. Halving the term does not double the payment. It raises it by less, since the interest saved helps pay the principal.
  6. The cost of monthly relief is the added interest. Divide the extra interest by the monthly saving to see the price of each dollar of relief.
  7. Choose the shortest term whose payment fits the budget.
  8. For a mortgage the effect is very large. A 30-year term costs more than twice the interest of a 15-year term.

Where students lose marks: comparing payments and not totals. A payment \$345.70 lower looks like a bargain until the total interest is found and is \$2,899.08 higher. Always compute both the payment and the total cost before deciding.

Worked example

The problem. A \$25,000 loan at 7 percent can be taken over 36, 48, 60 or 72 months. (a) Find the payment for each. (b) Find the total interest for each. (c) Compare the shortest and longest. (d) Find the shortest term that fits a \$500 monthly budget.

Step one: name the givens. \( P = 25000 \), \( i = \dfrac{0.07}{12} = 0.005833 \), and \( n = 36, 48, 60, 72 \).

Step two: the payments for (a). Using \( M = P \cdot \dfrac{i}{1 - (1 + i)^{-n}} \): \$771.93 for 36 months, \$598.66 for 48, \$495.03 for 60 and \$426.23 for 72.

Step three: the total paid. \( 771.93 \times 36 = 27789.48 \); \( 598.66 \times 48 = 28735.68 \); \( 495.03 \times 60 = 29701.80 \); \( 426.23 \times 72 = 30688.56 \).

Step four: the interest for (b). Subtract \$25,000: \$2,789.48, \$3,735.68, \$4,701.80 and \$5,688.56.

Step five: compare the extremes for (c). The 72-month payment is \( 771.93 - 426.23 = 345.70 \) dollars lower, and the interest is \( 5688.56 - 2789.48 = 2899.08 \) dollars higher.

Step six: price the relief. Each dollar of monthly relief costs \( \dfrac{2899.08}{345.70} = 8.39 \) dollars of added interest, spread over the life of the loan. The interest on the 72-month loan is 22.75 percent of the amount borrowed.

Step seven: the budget for (d). The 48-month payment of \$598.66 exceeds \$500, and the 60-month payment of \$495.03 fits. The shortest term that fits is 60 months.

Step eight: state the answers. The payments are \$771.93, \$598.66, \$495.03 and \$426.23; the interest is \$2,789.48, \$3,735.68, \$4,701.80 and \$5,688.56. The 60-month loan is the cheapest choice that fits the \$500 budget. Choosing the 72-month loan would save \$68.80 a month and cost \$986.76 more.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A \$10,000 loan at 8 percent has payments of \$452.27 over 24 months and \$244.13 over 48 months. Find the total interest for each.
    Show the full solution

    24 months: \( 452.27 \times 24 - 10000 = 854.48 \). 48 months: \( 244.13 \times 48 - 10000 = 1718.24 \). \$854.48 and \$1,718.24

  2. A \$200,000 mortgage at 6.5 percent has payments of \$1,742.21 over 15 years and \$1,264.14 over 30 years. Find the total interest for each.
    Show the full solution

    15 years: \( 1742.21 \times 180 - 200000 = 113597.80 \). 30 years: \( 1264.14 \times 360 - 200000 = 255090.40 \). \$113,597.80 and \$255,090.40

  3. In the last problem, find the monthly payment difference.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1742.21 - 1264.14 = 478.07 \). \$478.07 a month

  4. In the same problem, find how much more interest the 30-year loan costs.
    Show the full solution

    \( 255090.40 - 113597.80 = 141492.60 \). The 30-year loan costs 2.25 times the interest of the 15-year loan. \$141,492.60

  5. Find the payment and total interest on \$18,000 at 7.5 percent over 48 months.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.00625 \). \( M = 435.22 \). Total paid \( 435.22 \times 48 = 20890.56 \), interest \$2,890.56. \$435.22; \$2,890.56

  6. A \$15,000 loan at 6 percent has payments of \$289.99 over 60 months and \$219.13 over 84 months. Find the total interest for each and the extra interest for the longer term.
    Show the full solution

    60 months: \( 289.99 \times 60 - 15000 = 2399.40 \). 84 months: \( 219.13 \times 84 - 15000 = 3406.92 \). The extra is \( 3406.92 - 2399.40 = 1007.52 \) dollars. \$2,399.40 and \$3,406.92; \$1,007.52 more

  7. In the worked example, find the total interest on the 72-month loan as a percent of the amount borrowed.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{5688.56}{25000} \times 100 = 22.75 \). 22.75 percent

  8. A buyer can afford at most \$450 a month on the \$25,000 loan. Which terms in the example qualify, and which is cheapest?
    Show the full solution

    Payments of \$771.93 and \$598.66 are too high. The 60-month payment of \$495.03 also exceeds \$450. Only the 72-month payment of \$426.23 fits, so it is the only choice and costs \$5,688.56 in interest. 72 months only

  9. Find the price of each dollar of monthly relief in the \$15,000 loan when the term moves from 60 to 84 months.
    Show the full solution

    The monthly saving is \( 289.99 - 219.13 = 70.86 \). The added interest is \$1,007.52. The price per dollar of relief is \( \dfrac{1007.52}{70.86} = 14.22 \) dollars. \$14.22 of interest per dollar of monthly relief

  10. A student says, "The 72-month loan is cheaper because the payment is \$345.70 lower." Correct the claim with the total interest.
    Show the full solution

    A lower payment over more months is not a lower cost. The 72-month loan charges \$5,688.56 in interest against \$2,789.48 for the 36-month loan, which is \$2,899.08 more. The payment is smaller only because it is spread over twice as many months. It costs \$2,899.08 more

Lesson 7.4 · Unit 7 · A-SSE.4

The fastest way to cut what a loan costs

An extra payment goes entirely to principal, because the interest for the month is already covered by the regular payment. A smaller principal means less interest next month, so the saving grows on itself, like compound interest running in reverse. Even small extras shorten a loan by months.

The method
  1. The regular payment covers the interest first and then some principal.
  2. An extra amount reduces the principal directly, with no interest taken from it, since that month's interest was set by the balance at the start.
  3. A lower balance means less interest next month, so more of the next regular payment goes to principal.
  4. The effect compounds. The earlier the extra payment, the longer it works.
  5. To model it, rebuild the table with the extra added to the principal each month, and stop when the balance reaches zero.
  6. Compare with the original: months saved, and interest saved.
  7. The return on an extra payment is the loan rate. Prepaying a 7 percent loan is like an investment that returns 7 percent with no risk.
  8. Check the terms for a prepayment penalty and that extra payments are applied to principal.

Where students lose marks: the period of the extra. An extra \$50 a month is a different plan from an extra \$50 once. Name whether the extra is monthly or a single amount, and in which month, before computing.

Worked example

The problem. A \$25,000 loan at 7 percent runs 60 months with a payment of \$495.03. (a) Find the interest with no extras. (b) Find the payoff time and interest with an extra \$50 a month. (c) With an extra \$100 a month. (d) With a single extra \$2,000 in month 12.

Step one: the base case for (a). The table has 60 payments and total interest of \$4,701.82.

Step two: the first month with \$50 extra. The interest is \( 25000 \times 0.005833 = 145.83 \), and the regular principal is \( 495.03 - 145.83 = 349.20 \). With the extra, the principal is \( 349.20 + 50 = 399.20 \) and the balance falls to \$24,600.80.

Step three: the \$50 plan for (b). Carrying the table forward, the loan is cleared in month 54, six months early, and the interest is \$4,179.19. The saving is \( 4701.82 - 4179.19 = 522.63 \) dollars.

Step four: the \$100 plan for (c). The loan is cleared in month 49, eleven months early, and the interest is \$3,762.80. The saving is \$939.02.

Step five: the one-time \$2,000 for (d). Applied in month 12, it clears the loan in month 55, five months early, with interest of \$4,090.73. The saving is \$611.09.

Step six: compare the cost of the extras. Doubling the extra from \$50 to \$100 a month nearly doubles the saving (\$522.63 to \$939.02). The \$50 plan puts in about \$2,650 of extra money over 53 months and saves \$522.63, or 20 cents per extra dollar. The single \$2,000 in month 12 saves \$611.09, or 31 cents per dollar, because all of it goes in early and works for the rest of the loan.

Step seven: the mortgage scale. On a \$200,000 mortgage at 6.5 percent over 30 years, an extra \$100 a month ends the loan in month 293, 67 months early, and saves \$55,944.38. An extra \$200 saves \$90,074.66.

Step eight: state the answers. Extras of \$50 and \$100 a month save \$522.63 and \$939.02 and finish 6 and 11 months early; a single \$2,000 saves \$611.09. On a 30-year loan the effect is larger in dollars: \$100 a month saves almost \$56,000.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Use the results of the worked example where needed.

  1. With an extra \$50 a month, how many months sooner does the \$25,000 loan end?
    Show the full solution

    \( 60 - 54 = 6 \). 6 months

  2. Find the interest saved by an extra \$100 a month.
    Show the full solution

    \( 4701.82 - 3762.80 = 939.02 \). \$939.02

  3. A single extra \$2,000 in month 12 saves how much interest and how many months?
    Show the full solution

    Interest \( 4701.82 - 4090.73 = 611.09 \); months \( 60 - 55 = 5 \). \$611.09; 5 months

  4. A \$12,000 loan at 6.9 percent for 48 months costs \$1,766.32 in interest. With an extra \$25 a month it ends in month 44 with \$1,602.38 in interest. Find the saving.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1766.32 - 1602.38 = 163.94 \) dollars and \( 48 - 44 = 4 \) months. \$163.94; 4 months

  5. In month 1 of the \$25,000 loan, how much of a \$495.03 payment plus a \$50 extra is principal?
    Show the full solution

    Interest is \$145.83, so the principal is \( 495.03 + 50 - 145.83 = 399.20 \). \$399.20

  6. On the \$200,000 mortgage, an extra \$100 a month saves \$55,944.38 and ends the loan in month 293. Find the years and months saved.
    Show the full solution

    \( 360 - 293 = 67 \) months, which is 5 years and 7 months. 5 years 7 months

  7. An extra \$200 a month on that mortgage ends it in month 250 and saves \$90,074.66. Find the total paid in extras and the interest saved per dollar of extra.
    Show the full solution

    The extras are about \( 200 \times 249 = 49800 \) dollars (the last month is smaller). The saving per dollar is \( \dfrac{90074.66}{49800} = 1.81 \) dollars of interest for each extra dollar paid. About \$1.81 of interest saved per extra dollar

  8. Is prepaying a 7 percent loan better than keeping the money in a 4.5 percent savings account? Explain.
    Show the full solution

    Each extra dollar paid on the loan avoids 7 percent interest, a sure return of 7 percent. The savings account returns 4.5 percent, taxed. The prepayment is better by 2.5 points, assuming the borrower has an emergency fund and no higher-rate debt. Prepaying earns 7 percent against 4.5 percent

  9. Find the total paid in the \$50-extra plan, given the interest of \$4,179.19.
    Show the full solution

    \( 25000 + 4179.19 = 29179.19 \), against \$29,701.82 with no extras. \$29,179.19

  10. A student says, "An extra payment is taxed with interest first, so it only partly reduces the loan." Correct this using month 1.
    Show the full solution

    The month's interest, \$145.83, is covered by the regular payment of \$495.03 before the extra is considered. The extra \$50 then goes entirely to principal, which falls from \$349.20 to \$399.20. An extra payment is never reduced by interest. The whole extra reduces the principal

Lesson 7.5 · Unit 7 · F-LE.2

Borrowing before you earn

A student loan differs from a car loan in one way that matters a great deal: for years no payment is due, and interest may keep building anyway. On some loans the government pays that interest, and on others it is added to the balance when repayment begins. The arithmetic of that difference is worth thousands of dollars.

The method
  1. A subsidized loan has its interest paid by the government while the student is in school, so the balance at graduation equals the amount borrowed.
  2. An unsubsidized loan accrues interest from the day it is paid out, which the student owes.
  3. Interest accrues daily on the principal: \( \dfrac{P \cdot r}{365} \) per day. This lesson uses simple interest for the in-school period.
  4. Capitalization adds the unpaid interest to the principal when repayment begins. From then on interest is charged on the larger amount.
  5. The capitalized balance is \( P(1 + rt) \) with simple interest for the time in school.
  6. Repayment is an ordinary installment loan, usually over 10 years, using the payment formula on the capitalized balance.
  7. Paying the interest while in school prevents capitalization and keeps the balance at the amount borrowed.
  8. Compare plans by total paid, not by the payment alone, and consider longer repayment terms as in Lesson 7.3.

Where students lose marks: ignoring the in-school interest. A \$10,000 unsubsidized loan at 5.5 percent for 4 years grows to \$12,200 before the first payment, so the repayment is figured on \$12,200, not on \$10,000.

Worked example

The problem. A student borrows \$10,000 at 5.5 percent. The loan is repaid over 10 years after four years in school. (a) Find the interest that accrues in school and the capitalized balance on an unsubsidized loan. (b) Find the payment and total interest for the unsubsidized and subsidized versions. (c) Find the extra cost of the unsubsidized loan. (d) Find the interest to pay each year to prevent capitalization.

Step one: name the givens. \( P = 10000 \), \( r = 0.055 \), \( t = 4 \) in school, then \( n = 120 \) payments.

Step two: accrued interest for (a). \( 10000 \times 0.055 \times 4 = 2200 \) dollars, about \$1.51 a day.

Step three: the capitalized balance. \( 10000 + 2200 = 12200 \) dollars.

Step four: the subsidized repayment for (b). The balance is \$10,000. \( i = \dfrac{0.055}{12} = 0.004583 \), and \( M = 10000 \times \dfrac{0.004583}{1 - (1.004583)^{-120}} = 108.53 \). Total paid \( 108.53 \times 120 = 13023.60 \), interest \$3,023.60.

Step five: the unsubsidized repayment. The balance is \$12,200: \( M = 132.40 \). Total paid \( 132.40 \times 120 = 15888.00 \), interest in repayment \$3,688.00.

Step six: the extra cost for (c). Total paid differs by \( 15888.00 - 13023.60 = 2864.40 \) dollars. The accrued \$2,200 plus the interest on it makes the unsubsidized loan cost more.

Step seven: the yearly payment for (d). The interest is \( 10000 \times 0.055 = 550 \) a year, or \$45.83 a month. Paying it keeps the balance at \$10,000, so the repayment is the same as the subsidized loan's.

Step eight: state the answers. The unsubsidized balance grows to \$12,200; the payments are \$108.53 (subsidized) and \$132.40 (unsubsidized); the unsubsidized loan costs \$2,864.40 more in total. Paying \$550 a year in school, \$2,200 in all, saves that difference and more.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the daily interest on a \$10,000 loan at 5.5 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{10000 \times 0.055}{365} = 1.51 \). \$1.51 a day

  2. Find the interest accrued on an \$8,000 unsubsidized loan at 6 percent over 6 months.
    Show the full solution

    \( 8000 \times 0.06 \times 0.5 = 240 \). \$240.00

  3. A student borrows \$15,000 at 5 percent unsubsidized and stays in school 4 years. Find the capitalized balance.
    Show the full solution

    \( 15000 \times (1 + 0.05 \times 4) = 15000 \times 1.20 = 18000 \). \$18,000

  4. Find the payment and total interest on \$18,000 at 5 percent over 10 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.004167 \), \( n = 120 \): \( M = 190.92 \). Total paid \( 190.92 \times 120 = 22910.40 \), interest \$4,910.40. \$190.92; \$4,910.40

  5. Find the payment on \$7,000 at 4.5 percent over 10 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.00375 \). \( M = 7000 \times \dfrac{0.00375}{1 - (1.00375)^{-120}} = 72.55 \). \$72.55

  6. Compare 10-year and 20-year repayment of \$30,000 at 6 percent: payments and total interest.
    Show the full solution

    10 years: \( M = 333.06 \), total interest \( 333.06 \times 120 - 30000 = 9967.20 \). 20 years: \( M = 214.93 \), total interest \( 214.93 \times 240 - 30000 = 21583.20 \). The longer term lowers the payment by \$118.13 and more than doubles the interest. \$333.06, \$9,967.20; \$214.93, \$21,583.20

  7. A student pays the \$550 of interest each year on a \$10,000 unsubsidized loan. Find the total paid in school and the balance at graduation.
    Show the full solution

    Four payments of \$550 total \( 550 \times 4 = 2200 \) dollars. The balance stays at \$10,000. \$2,200 paid; balance \$10,000

  8. In the worked example, compare the total paid by the student who pays the interest in school with the student who does not.
    Show the full solution

    The student who pays in school pays \( 2200 + 13023.60 = 15223.60 \). The student who waits pays \$15,888.00. Paying the interest while in school saves \( 15888.00 - 15223.60 = 664.40 \) dollars, by avoiding interest on interest. \$664.40 less

  9. What is the capitalized balance if \$10,000 accrues simple interest at 5.5 percent for 4 years, and what percent larger is it?
    Show the full solution

    \$12,200, which is \( \dfrac{2200}{10000} \times 100 = 22 \) percent larger than the amount borrowed. \$12,200; 22 percent larger

  10. A student says, "A subsidized and an unsubsidized loan for the same amount cost the same, because the rate is the same." Correct the claim with numbers.
    Show the full solution

    The rate is the same, but the subsidized loan does not accrue interest in school, so repayment starts from \$10,000. The unsubsidized loan starts from \$12,200. Total paid is \$13,023.60 against \$15,888.00, a difference of \$2,864.40. The unsubsidized loan costs \$2,864.40 more

Lesson 7.6 · Unit 7 · N-Q.3

A small fee for a very short loan

A payday loan is a small loan due on the borrower's next payday, typically two weeks away, for a flat fee. The fee looks modest: a few dollars per hundred. Converted to an annual rate, which is how every other loan in this course has been priced, it is enormous. The conversion is one line of arithmetic.

The method
  1. A payday loan has a principal and a flat fee, due together on the due date. The fee is stated per \$100 or as a dollar amount.
  2. The cost of the loan is the fee as a percent of the principal: \( \dfrac{\text{fee}}{\text{principal}} \times 100 \).
  3. To annualize, scale to a year. The number of loan periods in a year is \( \dfrac{365}{\text{days}} \).
  4. The APR is \( \dfrac{\text{fee}}{\text{principal}} \times \dfrac{365}{\text{days}} \times 100 \).
  5. A shorter loan for the same fee has a higher APR. Doubling the number of periods doubles the APR.
  6. Rolling the loan over means paying a new fee to extend it. The fees repeat, and the principal is never reduced.
  7. Compare with a credit card cash advance, which is expensive, but costs far less for the same sum over the same days.
  8. Find alternatives before borrowing: an advance from an employer, a credit union small loan, or a payment plan with the bill's creditor.

Where students lose marks: judging the fee without the time. A fee of \$15 per \$100 sounds like 15 percent, and for a year that would be reasonable. The loan lasts 14 days, so the same percent repeated 26 times a year is an APR of about 391 percent.

Worked example

The problem. A borrower takes \$400 for 14 days and pays a \$60 fee. (a) Find the fee as a percent of the principal. (b) Find the APR. (c) Find the cost if the loan is rolled over 5 times. (d) Compare with a \$400 cash advance on a card at 29.99 percent with a 5 percent fee.

Step one: name the givens. Principal \$400; fee \$60; term 14 days; total due \( 400 + 60 = 460 \) dollars.

Step two: the fee as a percent for (a). \( \dfrac{60}{400} \times 100 = 15 \) percent for 14 days.

Step three: the periods in a year. \( \dfrac{365}{14} = 26.07 \).

Step four: the APR for (b). \( 15\% \times 26.07 = 391.07 \) percent.

Step five: the rollover cost for (c). Each extension costs another \$60, so five of them cost \( 5 \times 60 = 300 \) dollars. The borrower still owes the \$400.

Step six: the total after five rollovers. The fee paid, including the first, is \( 6 \times 60 = 360 \) dollars for the use of \$400 for 84 days, which is 90 percent of the amount borrowed.

Step seven: the card for (d). The fee is \( 0.05 \times 400 = 20 \) and the interest for 14 days is \( 400 \times \dfrac{0.2999}{365} \times 14 = 4.60 \). The total is \$24.60, which is \$35.40 less than the payday loan's \$60.

Step eight: state the answers. The fee is 15 percent for two weeks, an APR of 391.07 percent; five rollovers add \$300 without reducing the debt; a card cash advance for the same sum costs \$24.60. A card cash advance is expensive, and this loan costs more than twice as much.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A \$100 loan for 7 days has a \$15 fee. Find the APR.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{15}{100} \times \dfrac{365}{7} \times 100 = 15 \times 52.14 = 782.14 \). 782.14 percent

  2. A \$500 loan for 14 days has a \$75 fee. Find the APR.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{75}{500} \times \dfrac{365}{14} \times 100 = 15 \times 26.07 = 391.07 \). 391.07 percent

  3. A \$300 loan for 30 days has a \$45 fee. Find the APR.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{45}{300} \times \dfrac{365}{30} \times 100 = 15 \times 12.17 = 182.50 \). 182.50 percent

  4. A \$400 loan with a \$60 fee is rolled over 6 times. Find the total fees paid.
    Show the full solution

    The first fee plus six rollovers is seven fees: \( 7 \times 60 = 420 \). (If the original fee is counted with the six extensions, the borrower has paid \$420.) \$420.00

  5. Find the amount due on a \$400 loan with a \$60 fee.
    Show the full solution

    \( 400 + 60 = 460 \). \$460.00

  6. Find the interest on \$400 for 14 days on a credit card at 28 percent, with no fee.
    Show the full solution

    \( 400 \times \dfrac{0.28}{365} \times 14 = 4.30 \). It is one fourteenth of the payday fee. \$4.30

  7. Find the total cost of a \$400 card cash advance for 14 days at 29.99 percent with a 5 percent fee.
    Show the full solution

    Fee \( 0.05 \times 400 = 20 \). Interest \( 400 \times \dfrac{0.2999}{365} \times 14 = 4.60 \). Total \$24.60. \$24.60

  8. A \$1,000 loan for 30 days has a \$150 fee. Find the APR.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{150}{1000} \times \dfrac{365}{30} \times 100 = 15 \times 12.17 = 182.50 \). 182.50 percent

  9. A fee of \$15 per \$100 is charged for 14 days. Find the cost of borrowing \$400 and of borrowing \$400 for a full year by rolling it over 26 times.
    Show the full solution

    One loan: \( 4 \times 15 = 60 \). Twenty-six of them: \( 26 \times 60 = 1560 \), which is 390 percent of the principal. Borrowing \$400 for a year costs nearly four times the amount borrowed. \$60.00; \$1,560.00

  10. A student says, "The fee is only 15 percent, which is less than a lot of credit cards charge." Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    Credit card rates are annual. The 15 percent is for 14 days, so the fair comparison is the annualized figure, \( 15 \times 26.07 = 391 \) percent, which is more than ten times a card's 29.99 percent. A rate must always be stated for the same period before it is compared. 15 percent for 14 days is about 391 percent a year

Lesson 7.7 · Unit 7 · N-Q.3

Choosing the loan, not the payment

Lenders compete on the number a buyer notices first. One advertises a low rate, another a low payment, another no fees. Each of those is true and incomplete. A fair comparison reduces every offer to the same three numbers: the payment, the total cost including fees, and the effective rate.

The method
  1. List the terms: amount, rate, term in months and any fee.
  2. Compute the payment for each offer with the payment formula.
  3. Compute the total cost of each: total paid minus the amount borrowed, plus any fee.
  4. An origination fee is charged on the amount borrowed, often as a percent, and is paid up front or added to the loan.
  5. The APR includes the fee. It is the rate that equates the payments with the amount actually received.
  6. Compare equal terms when possible. A different term changes both the payment and the cost, so a comparison across terms must state both numbers.
  7. Check the budget first. Discard any offer whose payment does not fit, then choose the lowest total cost among those left.
  8. A lower stated rate with a fee can cost more than a higher rate with none.

Where students lose marks: comparing the stated rate. A 4.9 percent loan with a \$500 fee can cost more in total than a 5.5 percent loan with no fee, and its APR is higher than 4.9 percent. Compare total costs, and compare the APR, which includes the fee by law.

Worked example

The problem. A borrower needs \$15,000. Offer A: 6.9 percent for 48 months with a 2 percent origination fee. Offer B: 6.2 percent for 60 months with no fee. Offer C: 7.4 percent for 36 months with no fee. Her budget allows at most \$400 a month. (a) Find each payment. (b) Find each total cost. (c) Find the APR of Offer A. (d) Choose the best offer.

Step one: the payments for (a). A: \$358.50. B: \$291.39. C: \$465.90. (For A, \( 15000 \times \dfrac{0.00575}{1 - (1.00575)^{-48}} = 358.50 \).)

Step two: the total paid. A: \( 358.50 \times 48 = 17208.00 \). B: \( 291.39 \times 60 = 17483.40 \). C: \( 465.90 \times 36 = 16772.40 \).

Step three: the total cost for (b). Subtract \$15,000 and add fees. A: \( 2208.00 + 0.02 \times 15000 = 2208.00 + 300 = 2508.00 \). B: \$2,483.40. C: \$1,772.40.

Step four: the APR of A for (c). The borrower receives \( 15000 - 300 = 14700 \) and pays \$358.50 for 48 months. The monthly rate that makes those payments worth \$14,700 is about 0.6622 percent, so the APR is 7.95 percent, more than the stated 6.9 percent because of the fee.

Step five: apply the budget for (d). Offer C's payment of \$465.90 exceeds the \$400 limit, so C is ruled out even though it is the cheapest overall.

Step six: compare A and B. A costs \$2,508.00 and B costs \$2,483.40. B is cheaper by \$24.60, and its payment is \$67.11 lower.

Step seven: compare the rates. A has the higher rate (6.9 against 6.2 percent) and the fee, so it is worse on both counts. Its shorter term is its only advantage, and the term is what makes C cheaper.

Step eight: state the answer. Offer B is the best choice within the budget at \$291.39 a month and \$2,483.40 of interest. Offer C would save \$711.00 more if the budget could stretch to \$465.90. A is the worst: its stated rate understates its true cost of 7.95 percent.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the monthly payments on \$10,000 for 48 months at 6.0 percent and at 6.5 percent, and the difference.
    Show the full solution

    At 6.0 percent: \$234.85. At 6.5 percent: \$237.15. The difference is \( 237.15 - 234.85 = 2.30 \) a month, or \( 2.30 \times 48 = 110.40 \) over the loan. \$234.85 and \$237.15; \$110.40 over the loan

  2. An origination fee is 1 percent of a \$10,000 loan. Find the fee.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.01 \times 10000 = 100 \). \$100.00

  3. Find the payments and total interest on \$8,000 for 36 months at 5.9 percent and at 6.4 percent.
    Show the full solution

    At 5.9 percent: \$243.01 and \( 243.01 \times 36 - 8000 = 748.36 \). At 6.4 percent: \$244.83 and \( 244.83 \times 36 - 8000 = 813.88 \). \$243.01, \$748.36; \$244.83, \$813.88

  4. In the last problem, find the extra interest on the higher-rate loan.
    Show the full solution

    \( 813.88 - 748.36 = 65.52 \). \$65.52

  5. Find the payment on \$16,000 for 48 months at 6 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.005 \). \( M = 16000 \times \dfrac{0.005}{1 - (1.005)^{-48}} = 375.76 \). \$375.76

  6. A \$20,000, 60-month loan at 5.5 percent has no fee. Another at 4.9 percent has a \$500 fee. Find the total cost of each.
    Show the full solution

    At 5.5 percent: interest \$2,921.20. At 4.9 percent: interest \$2,590.60 plus the fee \$500, which is \$3,090.60. The lower-rate loan costs \$169.40 more. \$2,921.20 and \$3,090.60

  7. Rank Offers A, B and C in the worked example by monthly payment, lowest first.
    Show the full solution

    B is \$291.39, A is \$358.50 and C is \$465.90. B, A, C

  8. Rank the same offers by total cost, lowest first.
    Show the full solution

    C is \$1,772.40, B is \$2,483.40 and A is \$2,508.00. C, B, A

  9. With a \$400 payment limit, which offer is cheapest, and why is the ranking by payment different from the ranking by cost?
    Show the full solution

    C is ruled out by the limit. Of A and B, B costs \$2,483.40 and A \$2,508.00, so B. The rankings differ because the terms differ: the longest loan has the lowest payment and a higher cost than the shortest. Offer B

  10. A student chooses the loan with the lowest stated rate, 4.9 percent, ignoring its \$500 fee. Use the \$20,000 comparison to explain the mistake.
    Show the full solution

    The fee is part of the price of the loan. Including it, the 4.9 percent loan costs \$3,090.60 against \$2,921.20 for the 5.5 percent loan with no fee, so the student pays \$169.40 more. The APR, which includes fees, exposes this. The lowest stated rate costs \$169.40 more

Unit 7 review · 10 problems · all lessons

Unit 7 review: Loans

These are shuffled across all seven lessons. The payment, the total paid, the interest and the balance are four different numbers.

  1. Find the monthly payment on a \$15,000 loan at 5.4% for 4 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.0045 \), \( n = 48 \), \( (1.0045)^{-48} = 0.806126 \). \( PMT = \dfrac{15000(0.0045)}{1 - 0.806126} \). Running the balance forward 48 months ends at zero. \$348.16

  2. Find the total paid and the total interest on that loan.
    Show the full solution

    \( 48(348.16) = 16{,}711.68 \). Interest \( 16{,}711.68 - 15000 \). \$16,711.68 paid; \$1,711.68 interest

  3. For the same loan, find the first month's interest, the principal in the first payment, and the balance after the first payment.
    Show the full solution

    Interest \( 15000(0.0045) = \$67.50 \). Principal \( 348.16 - 67.50 = 280.66 \). Balance \( 15000 - 280.66 \). \$67.50; \$280.66; \$14,719.34

  4. A \$25,000 loan at 6% is offered for 5 years or 7 years. Compare the monthly payment and the total interest.
    Show the full solution

    5 years: payment \$483.32, interest \( 60(483.32) - 25000 = 3{,}999.20 \). 7 years: payment \$365.21, interest \( 84(365.21) - 25000 = 5{,}677.64 \). \$483.32 and \$3,999.20 interest against \$365.21 and \$5,677.64 interest; the longer term costs \$1,678.44 more

  5. A \$10,000 loan at 6% runs 5 years. The borrower adds \$50 to every payment. How many months does the loan last, and what is saved in interest?
    Show the full solution

    The regular payment is \$193.33. With \$50 extra, running the balance forward gives the payoff month. Original total 11,599.80; new total 11,222.18. 47 months instead of 60; about \$377.62 saved

  6. A student borrows \$6,000 at 5% simple interest that accrues during 4 years of school and is then added to the balance. Find the balance at graduation, then the monthly payment over 10 years at 5%.
    Show the full solution

    Interest \( 6000(0.05)(4) = \$1{,}200 \). Balance \( \$7{,}200 \). Payment with \( i = 0.05 \div 12 \), \( n = 120 \). \$7,200; \$76.37 a month

  7. A payday lender charges a \$75 fee for a \$500 loan due in 14 days. Find the annualized cost.
    Show the full solution

    Fee as a fraction of the loan \( \dfrac{75}{500} = 0.15 \) per 14 days. A year has \( \dfrac{365}{14} = 26.07 \) such periods. \( 0.15(26.07) \). about 391.1% APR

  8. Offer A: \$9,000 at 6.0% for 3 years with a \$150 fee. Offer B: \$9,000 at 6.4% for 3 years with no fee. Find the total cost of each.
    Show the full solution

    A: payment \$273.80, so \( 36(273.80) + 150 = 10{,}006.80 \). B: payment \$275.43, so \( 36(275.43) = 9{,}915.48 \). A costs \$10,006.80; B costs \$9,915.48; B is cheaper by \$91.32

  9. A \$20,000 loan at 6% for 5 years is being repaid. Find the balance owed after 24 payments.
    Show the full solution

    Payment \$386.66. Balance \( 20000(1.005)^{24} - PMT \cdot \dfrac{(1.005)^{24} - 1}{0.005} = 20000(1.127160) - 386.66(25.431955) \). about \$12,709.78

  10. A student finds the payment on a \$10,000, 6%, 5-year loan by adding \( 10000(0.06)(5) = \$3{,}000 \) of interest and dividing \$13,000 by 60. Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    Interest on an installment loan falls as the balance falls, so the simple-interest total overstates it. The student's payment is \$216.67. The payment formula gives \$193.33. The correct payment is \$193.33, not \$216.67

Lesson 8.1 · Unit 8 · N-Q.3

The price on the window is the beginning

A car is usually the first large purchase a person makes, and the sticker price is about half of what it costs to own. Taxes and fees are added at once, and fuel, insurance, maintenance and registration follow every year. The sum, minus what the car sells for at the end, is the real cost, and dividing it by the months or the miles makes cars comparable.

The method
  1. The sticker price is the advertised price of the car.
  2. The out-the-door price adds sales tax on the price and fees for title, documents and registration. Tax is the rate times the price.
  3. Fuel cost is miles driven divided by miles per gallon, times the price per gallon.
  4. Insurance, maintenance and registration recur every year. Insurance rises with driver age, record and car value.
  5. Resale value is what the car sells for at the end of the period. It is money returned, so it is subtracted.
  6. Total cost of ownership over \( y \) years is the out-the-door price plus \( y \) times the yearly running cost, minus the resale value.
  7. Divide for comparison: by the number of months for a cost per month, or by the miles for a cost per mile.
  8. Financing adds interest, which is computed separately with the loan formula of Unit 7 and added to the total.

Where students lose marks: leaving out the resale value, or counting the whole price as spent. The buyer of a \$27,000 car who sells it for \$10,200 has spent \$16,800 on the car itself, not \$27,000. Subtract what comes back.

Worked example

The problem. A car has a sticker price of \$24,500. Sales tax is 8.25 percent and fees are \$450. The owner drives 12,000 miles a year at 30 miles per gallon with fuel at \$3.80 a gallon, pays \$1,680 for insurance, \$900 for maintenance and \$312 for registration each year, and sells the car after 5 years for \$10,200. There is no loan. (a) Find the out-the-door price. (b) Find the yearly running cost. (c) Find the total cost of ownership. (d) Find the cost per month and per mile.

Step one: the sales tax. \( 0.0825 \times 24500 = 2021.25 \) dollars.

Step two: the out-the-door price for (a). \( 24500 + 2021.25 + 450 = 26{,}971.25 \) dollars, which is 10.09 percent above the sticker.

Step three: fuel. \( \dfrac{12000}{30} = 400 \) gallons, and \( 400 \times 3.80 = 1520 \) dollars a year.

Step four: the yearly running cost for (b). \( 1520 + 1680 + 900 + 312 = 4412 \) dollars.

Step five: five years of running. \( 5 \times 4412 = 22060 \) dollars.

Step six: the total for (c). \( 26971.25 + 22060 - 10200 = 38{,}831.25 \) dollars.

Step seven: per month and per mile for (d). There are 60 months and 60,000 miles: \( \dfrac{38831.25}{60} = 647.19 \) dollars a month, and \( \dfrac{38831.25}{60000} = 0.647 \) dollars a mile.

Step eight: state the answers. The car costs \$26,971.25 to buy and \$4,412 a year to run, with a total cost of \$38,831.25 over five years: about \$647 a month. The running costs are \$22,060, which is 57 percent of the total, more than the price of the car minus its resale value (\$16,771.25).

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A car costs \$18,200 and the sales tax is 8.25 percent. Find the tax, and the out-the-door price with \$300 of fees.
    Show the full solution

    Tax \( 0.0825 \times 18200 = 1501.50 \). Out the door \( 18200 + 1501.50 + 300 = 20001.50 \). \$1,501.50; \$20,001.50

  2. A driver travels 15,000 miles a year at 25 miles per gallon with fuel at \$3.60. Find the yearly fuel cost.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{15000}{25} = 600 \) gallons, and \( 600 \times 3.60 = 2160 \). \$2,160.00

  3. Find the yearly running cost when fuel is \$1,520, insurance \$1,680, maintenance \$900 and registration \$312.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1520 + 1680 + 900 + 312 = 4412 \). \$4,412.00

  4. A car costs \$21,000 out the door, runs at \$3,900 a year, and sells after 3 years for \$12,500. Find the cost of ownership and the cost per month.
    Show the full solution

    \( 21000 + 3 \times 3900 - 12500 = 20200 \). Over 36 months, \( \dfrac{20200}{36} = 561.11 \). \$20,200; \$561.11 a month

  5. A driver uses 400 gallons a year at \$3.80. Find the annual fuel cost.
    Show the full solution

    \( 400 \times 3.80 = 1520 \). \$1,520.00

  6. A driver covers 12,000 miles a year. Fuel is \$3.80 a gallon. Find the yearly saving from a car that gets 40 miles per gallon instead of 25.
    Show the full solution

    At 25: \( \dfrac{12000}{25} \times 3.80 = 480 \times 3.80 = 1824 \). At 40: \( \dfrac{12000}{40} \times 3.80 = 300 \times 3.80 = 1140 \). The saving is \$684. \$684.00 a year

  7. Find the fuel saving over 5 years in the last problem.
    Show the full solution

    \( 5 \times 684 = 3420 \). \$3,420.00

  8. In the worked example, find the fees and tax as a percent of the sticker price.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2021.25 + 450 = 2471.25 \), and \( \dfrac{2471.25}{24500} \times 100 = 10.09 \). 10.09 percent

  9. Car A costs \$22,000 out the door and \$5,100 a year to run, and resells after 5 years for \$9,000. Car B costs \$25,000 and \$3,900 a year, and resells for \$11,000. Find each five-year cost and the difference.
    Show the full solution

    Car A: \( 22000 + 5 \times 5100 - 9000 = 38500 \). Car B: \( 25000 + 5 \times 3900 - 11000 = 33500 \). Car B costs \$5,000 less, even though its price is \$3,000 higher. A: \$38,500; B: \$33,500; B is \$5,000 cheaper

  10. A student compares the two cars in the last problem by sticker price alone and chooses Car A. Explain the error.
    Show the full solution

    The sticker price is one part of the cost. Car A's higher running costs (\$1,200 a year more) and lower resale value (\$2,000 less) outweigh its \$3,000 lower price. Over five years the total cost is what a buyer pays, so the comparison must include all of it. Compare total cost of ownership, not price

Lesson 8.2 · Unit 8 · F-LE.2

The fastest-falling number in a car's cost

A car loses value every year, and the loss is steepest at the start. Depreciation is exponential decay: a fixed percent is lost each year, so the dollar loss shrinks as the value shrinks. It is the largest single cost of a new car, and it can leave a buyer owing more than the car is worth.

The method
  1. Depreciation is the decline in value from age and use.
  2. A constant percent \( d \) lost per year gives \( V = P(1 - d)^t \), the same pattern as compound interest with a negative rate.
  3. The dollar loss falls each year, because the percent applies to a smaller value.
  4. The first year is the steepest. This course uses 20 percent in the first year and 15 percent a year after, which are teaching figures.
  5. The percent of value left after \( t \) years is \( (1 - d)^t \).
  6. Half-life: the time to lose half the value is \( \dfrac{\ln 0.5}{\ln(1 - d)} \). At 15 percent it is 4.27 years.
  7. Equity is value minus loan balance. Positive equity means the car is worth more than is owed.
  8. Negative equity (being underwater) means the balance exceeds the value. It is common in the first year on a loan with a small down payment.

Where students lose marks: treating depreciation as a fixed dollar amount each year. A straight-line estimate of \$2,660 a year understates the first year's loss, which is \$4,900 on a \$24,500 car, and overstates the last. Use the percent of the current value.

Worked example

The problem. A \$24,500 car loses 20 percent of its value in year one and 15 percent a year after. The owner finances \$23,971.25 at 6.9 percent over 60 months. (a) Find the value at the end of each of five years. (b) Find the total loss and the percent lost. (c) Find the yearly dollar loss. (d) Find the equity after years 1, 2 and 3.

Step one: year one. \( 24500 \times 0.80 = 19600 \).

Step two: years two to five for (a). Multiply by 0.85 each time: \( 19600 \times 0.85 = 16660 \); \( 16660 \times 0.85 = 14161 \); \$12,036.85; and \$10,231.32.

Step three: the total loss for (b). \( 24500 - 10231.32 = 14268.68 \), which is \( \dfrac{14268.68}{24500} \times 100 = 58.2 \) percent of the price.

Step four: the yearly loss for (c). Year one \$4,900, year two \$2,940, year three \$2,499, year four \$2,124.15 and year five \$1,805.53. The first year alone is more than a third of the five-year loss.

Step five: the loan balances. The payment is \$473.53. After 12, 24 and 36 payments the balances are \$19,813.04, \$15,358.66 and \$10,587.02.

Step six: equity for (d). After year 1: \( 19600 - 19813.04 = -213.04 \). After year 2: \( 16660 - 15358.66 = 1301.34 \). After year 3: \( 14161 - 10587.02 = 3573.98 \).

Step seven: interpret. After one year the owner is \$213.04 underwater: a sale or an accident that totals the car would leave a debt. By year two the loan has caught up with the depreciation.

Step eight: state the answers. The values are \$19,600.00, \$16,660.00, \$14,161.00, \$12,036.85 and \$10,231.32; 58.2 percent of the price is lost in five years; equity is negative \$213.04, then positive \$1,301.34 and \$3,573.98. A larger down payment would have avoided the underwater year.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A \$30,000 car loses 20 percent in its first year. Find its value.
    Show the full solution

    \( 30000 \times 0.80 = 24000 \). \$24,000.00

  2. A \$20,000 car loses 15 percent a year. Find its value after 3 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 20000 \times (0.85)^3 = 20000 \times 0.614125 = 12282.50 \). \$12,282.50

  3. A \$16,000 car loses 12 percent a year. Find its value after 4 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 16000 \times (0.88)^4 = 16000 \times 0.599695 = 9595.13 \). \$9,595.13

  4. What percent of its value does a car keep after 5 years at 15 percent a year?
    Show the full solution

    \( (0.85)^5 = 0.443705 \). 44.37 percent

  5. A \$30,000 car loses 20 percent a year. Find the dollar loss in year 2.
    Show the full solution

    Year 1 value \$24,000; year 2 value \( 24000 \times 0.80 = 19200 \). The loss is \( 24000 - 19200 = 4800 \). \$4,800.00

  6. How many years does a car take to lose half its value at 15 percent a year?
    Show the full solution

    Solve \( (0.85)^t = 0.5 \): \( t = \dfrac{\ln 0.5}{\ln 0.85} = \dfrac{-0.693147}{-0.162519} = 4.27 \). 4.27 years

  7. A car is worth \$16,000 and the loan balance is \$17,000. Find the equity.
    Show the full solution

    \( 16000 - 17000 = -1000 \). The owner is \$1,000 underwater. Negative \$1,000.00

  8. The \$1,000 shortfall is rolled into a new \$4,000 loan at 6.9 percent over 60 months. Find the payment.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.00575 \): \( 4000 \times \dfrac{0.00575}{1 - (1.00575)^{-60}} = 79.02 \). Paying for the old car's shortfall adds that amount to the next payment. \$79.02 a month

  9. A \$24,500 car sells after 5 years for \$11,200. Find the straight-line loss per year, and compare with the loss in year one at 15 percent.
    Show the full solution

    Straight line: \( \dfrac{24500 - 11200}{5} = 2660 \) a year. At 15 percent the first year's loss is \( 0.15 \times 24500 = 3675 \), which is \$1,015 more, and the fifth year's loss is \$1,918.37, which is \$741.63 less. \$2,660 on average; \$3,675 in year one

  10. A student says that a car loses the same dollars every year, so \$4,900 in year one means \$4,900 in year five. Correct the claim.
    Show the full solution

    Depreciation is a percent of the current value, and the value shrinks. In year one the loss is 20 percent of \$24,500, or \$4,900. In year five it is 15 percent of \$12,036.85, or \$1,805.53. Dollar losses fall each year. Year five's loss is \$1,805.53

Lesson 8.3 · Unit 8 · N-Q.3

Two ways to pay for three years of a car

A lease is a long rental: the driver pays for the part of the car's value that is used up and returns the car at the end. A loan buys the whole car. The monthly payment on a lease is lower, but the driver builds no ownership, so the honest comparison is the net cost over the same period.

The method
  1. The capitalized cost is the negotiated price of the car. The residual value is what the lessor expects it to be worth at the end, a percent of the price.
  2. The depreciation charge per month is \( \dfrac{\text{cap cost} - \text{residual}}{\text{term}} \).
  3. The rent charge per month is \( (\text{cap cost} + \text{residual}) \times \text{money factor} \).
  4. The money factor is the lease's interest rate in another form: \( \text{money factor} = \dfrac{\text{APR in percent}}{2400} \). An APR of 4.8 percent gives \( \dfrac{4.8}{2400} = 0.002 \).
  5. The monthly lease payment is the depreciation charge plus the rent charge.
  6. Extra costs: an amount due at signing, a mileage limit with a charge for each mile over it, and charges for excess wear.
  7. The net cost of a lease is the payments plus the amount due at signing. Nothing comes back.
  8. The net cost of buying is the down payment plus the payments, minus the equity (value minus loan balance) when the car is sold at the same date.

Where students lose marks: the money factor. It is the APR in percent divided by 2400, not the APR as a decimal. Dividing 0.048 by 2400 gives a rent charge of 78 cents a month instead of \$78.40, and the lease looks absurdly cheap.

Worked example

The problem. A \$24,500 car can be leased for 36 months with a residual of 60 percent, a money factor from an APR of 4.8 percent, and \$2,000 due at signing. It can be bought with \$2,000 down and a 60-month loan of \$22,500 at 6.9 percent, selling the car after 36 months at its depreciated value of \$14,161. (a) Find the lease payment. (b) Find the net cost of the lease. (c) Find the net cost of buying. (d) Compare.

Step one: the residual and money factor. The residual is \( 0.60 \times 24500 = 14700 \). The money factor is \( \dfrac{4.8}{2400} = 0.002 \).

Step two: the depreciation charge for (a). \( \dfrac{24500 - 14700}{36} = 272.22 \) dollars.

Step three: the rent charge. \( (24500 + 14700) \times 0.002 = 78.40 \) dollars.

Step four: the lease payment. \( 272.22 + 78.40 = 350.62 \) dollars a month.

Step five: the net cost of leasing for (b). \( 36 \times 350.62 + 2000 = 14{,}622.32 \) dollars, about \$406 a month.

Step six: the loan for (c). The payment on \$22,500 at 6.9 percent over 60 months is \$444.47. After 36 payments the balance is \$9,937.10.

Step seven: the net cost of buying. The equity is \( 14161 - 9937.10 = 4223.90 \). The net cost is \( 2000 + 36 \times 444.47 - 4223.90 = 13{,}777.02 \) dollars, about \$382.70 a month.

Step eight: compare for (d). Buying costs \$845.30 less over the three years, and the owner keeps the car. Leasing has the lower payment (\$350.62 against \$444.47), but the lessee has spent \$14,622.32 and owns nothing. A lease suits a driver who wants a new car every three years and stays under the mileage limit.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the money factor for an APR of 3.6 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{3.6}{2400} = 0.0015 \). 0.0015

  2. A \$30,000 car has a residual of \$18,000, a 36-month term and a money factor of 0.0015. Find the monthly payment.
    Show the full solution

    Depreciation: \( \dfrac{30000 - 18000}{36} = 333.33 \). Rent charge: \( (30000 + 18000) \times 0.0015 = 72.00 \). Payment \( 333.33 + 72.00 = 405.33 \). \$405.33

  3. Find the residual value of a \$28,000 car if it is 60 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.60 \times 28000 = 16800 \). \$16,800.00

  4. A lease charges \$0.25 a mile over its limit. Find the charge for 1,800 miles over.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1800 \times 0.25 = 450 \). \$450.00

  5. A money factor of 0.0021 is what APR?
    Show the full solution

    APR in percent is the money factor times 2400: \( 0.0021 \times 2400 = 5.04 \). 5.04 percent

  6. A lease has payments of \$320 for 36 months and \$1,500 due at signing. Find the net cost.
    Show the full solution

    \( 36 \times 320 + 1500 = 13020 \). \$13,020.00

  7. In the worked example, find the total of the 36 lease payments alone.
    Show the full solution

    \( 36 \times 350.62 = 12622.32 \). With the \$2,000 due at signing the cost is \$14,622.32. \$12,622.32

  8. In the worked example, find the residual as a percent of the price.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{14700}{24500} \times 100 = 60 \). 60 percent

  9. A lessee drives 40,500 miles on a lease with a 36,000-mile limit and a \$0.20 charge per extra mile. Find the charge.
    Show the full solution

    Excess miles \( 40500 - 36000 = 4500 \), and \( 4500 \times 0.20 = 900 \). \$900.00

  10. A student computes the money factor for 4.8 percent as \( \dfrac{0.048}{2400} \) and finds a rent charge of 78 cents on the \$24,500 lease. Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    The money factor uses the APR in percent, 4.8, not as a decimal. The correct factor is \( \dfrac{4.8}{2400} = 0.002 \) and the rent charge is \( 39200 \times 0.002 = 78.40 \). The student's lease would look \$77.62 a month cheaper than it is. Use 4.8, not 0.048

Lesson 8.4 · Unit 8 · N-Q.3

The cost of a place that belongs to someone else

Rent is the largest expense in most budgets, and it is decided by two numbers: what the landlord charges and what the renter earns. A common guideline says rent should not exceed 30 percent of gross income. The full cost is higher than the rent, because of the deposit, utilities and insurance, and it rises every year.

The method
  1. The 30 percent guideline says monthly rent should be at most 30 percent of gross monthly income. A \$66,000 income is \$5,500 a month, so rent up to \$1,650.
  2. Gross or net, say which. Rent of \$1,650 is 30 percent of \$5,500 gross but 37.5 percent of \$4,400 net.
  3. A security deposit is usually one or two months' rent, held and returned if the unit is left in good condition.
  4. Utilities and renter's insurance add to the monthly cost and are part of the budget.
  5. Rent rises with each new lease. A yearly increase of \( p \) percent multiplies rent by \( 1 + p \).
  6. Round each new rent to the cent before multiplying the next year, since a landlord sets an actual dollar figure.
  7. Sharing the rent divides the cost among roommates, while some costs, like utilities, are added to the total first.
  8. A renter builds no equity, and in exchange is free of repairs, property tax and the risk of a falling house price.

Where students lose marks: computing rent as a share of the wrong income. A worker who quotes rent as 30 percent of income without saying gross or net may be spending 37.5 percent of take-home pay. Name the base.

Worked example

The problem. A renter earns \$66,000 a year. (a) Find the most rent the 30 percent guideline allows. (b) With rent at that level, utilities of \$140 and insurance of \$18 a month, find the cost of a year and the deposit of two months. (c) With 2.5 percent yearly increases, find the rent in years 2 and 3. (d) Find the rent paid over 3 years.

Step one: the monthly income. \( \dfrac{66000}{12} = 5500 \).

Step two: the guideline for (a). \( 0.30 \times 5500 = 1650 \) dollars a month.

Step three: the yearly cost for (b). Monthly cost \( 1650 + 140 + 18 = 1808 \), and \( 12 \times 1808 = 21{,}696 \) dollars.

Step four: the deposit. Two months' rent is \( 2 \times 1650 = 3300 \) dollars, due before the first month. It is returned later but is money unavailable meanwhile.

Step five: year 2 for (c). \( 1650 \times 1.025 = 1691.25 \).

Step six: year 3. \( 1691.25 \times 1.025 = 1733.53 \), rounded to the cent.

Step seven: the three years for (d). Annual rent is \( 12 \times 1650 = 19800 \), \( 12 \times 1691.25 = 20295 \) and \( 12 \times 1733.53 = 20802.36 \). The total is \$60,897.36.

Step eight: state the answers. The guideline allows \$1,650 a month; a year of living there costs \$21,696 with utilities and insurance; the rent in year 3 is \$1,733.53; the rent over three years is \$60,897.36. The deposit of \$3,300 must be available on day one.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A renter's gross monthly income is \$4,200. Find the most rent by the 30 percent guideline.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.30 \times 4200 = 1260 \). \$1,260.00

  2. Rent of \$1,400 is paid by a worker earning \$54,000 a year. Find rent as a percent of gross income.
    Show the full solution

    Annual rent \( 12 \times 1400 = 16800 \), and \( \dfrac{16800}{54000} \times 100 = 31.11 \). 31.11 percent

  3. Rent of \$1,400 rises 4.5 percent. Find the new rent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1400 \times 1.045 = 1463 \). \$1,463.00

  4. Rent of \$1,200 rises 2.5 percent a year. Find the rent after 5 increases.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1200 \times (1.025)^5 = 1200 \times 1.131408 = 1357.69 \). \$1,357.69

  5. Three roommates share \$2,400 of rent and \$210 of utilities equally. Find each share.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{2400 + 210}{3} = 870 \). \$870.00

  6. Renter's insurance is \$18 a month. Find the yearly cost.
    Show the full solution

    \( 18 \times 12 = 216 \). \$216.00

  7. A lease asks for a security deposit of two months' rent on \$1,650 rent. Find the deposit and the cash needed on day one with the first month's rent.
    Show the full solution

    Deposit \( 2 \times 1650 = 3300 \). With the first month, \( 3300 + 1650 = 4950 \). \$3,300.00; \$4,950.00

  8. Rent is \$1,500 for year one and rises 3 percent for year two. Find the two-year total.
    Show the full solution

    Year one: \( 12 \times 1500 = 18000 \). Year two's rent is \( 1500 \times 1.03 = 1545 \), so \( 12 \times 1545 = 18540 \). Total \$36,540.00. \$36,540.00

  9. What annual gross income is needed for rent of \$1,650 to be 30 percent of it?
    Show the full solution

    Monthly income \( \dfrac{1650}{0.30} = 5500 \), and \( 12 \times 5500 = 66000 \). \$66,000.00

  10. A renter says, "My rent is 30 percent of my income." Her gross is \$5,500 and her net is \$4,400, and she pays \$1,650. Find the rent as a share of each and explain.
    Show the full solution

    Of gross: \( \dfrac{1650}{5500} = 30 \) percent. Of net: \( \dfrac{1650}{4400} = 37.5 \) percent. The statement is true only of gross pay. She actually spends more than a third of the money that reaches her account on rent. 30 percent of gross; 37.5 percent of net

Lesson 8.5 · Unit 8 · A-SSE.4

A very large loan over a very long time

A mortgage is an installment loan secured by the house. The mathematics is the payment formula of Lesson 7.1, with a large principal and 360 payments, and everything in Unit 7 scales: the interest on a 30-year loan can exceed the amount borrowed, and half a point of rate is worth tens of thousands of dollars.

The method
  1. The down payment is the buyer's own money, a percent of the price. The loan is the price minus the down payment.
  2. The loan-to-value ratio is the loan divided by the price. A 20 percent down payment gives 80 percent.
  3. The payment for principal and interest is \( M = P \cdot \dfrac{i}{1 - (1 + i)^{-n}} \) with \( n = 360 \) for 30 years and \( i = \dfrac{r}{12} \).
  4. A 15-year loan has a higher payment and far lower interest.
  5. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is charged when the loan exceeds 80 percent of the price. It is a percent of the loan each year, divided by 12.
  6. PMI ends when the loan falls to 80 percent of the original price.
  7. An adjustable rate starts low for a few years and then resets. The payment computed at the low rate does not last.
  8. The first months' payments are mostly interest, as in Lesson 7.2. On a 30-year loan the first payment is over 85 percent interest.

Where students lose marks: treating the payment as the cost of owning. Principal and interest is one part of the monthly cost. Taxes, insurance and upkeep are added in the next lesson, and the buyer's budget must include all of them.

Worked example

The problem. A buyer purchases a \$350,000 home at 6.5 percent. (a) With a 20 percent down payment, find the loan and the 30-year payment. (b) Find the total interest. (c) Find the 15-year payment and interest. (d) With a 10 percent down payment, find the loan, the payment and the PMI at 0.6 percent a year.

Step one: the down payment and loan for (a). The down payment is \( 0.20 \times 350000 = 70000 \), so the loan is \( 350000 - 70000 = 280000 \).

Step two: the payment. \( i = \dfrac{0.065}{12} = 0.0054167 \) and \( n = 360 \): \( M = 280000 \times \dfrac{0.0054167}{1 - (1.0054167)^{-360}} = 1{,}769.79 \) dollars.

Step three: the interest for (b). \( 1769.79 \times 360 - 280000 = 357{,}124.40 \) dollars, which is 127.5 percent of the loan.

Step four: the 15-year loan for (c). With \( n = 180 \), the payment is \$2,439.10 and the interest is \( 2439.10 \times 180 - 280000 = 159{,}038.00 \).

Step five: compare. The 15-year payment is \$669.31 higher, and the interest is \$198,086.40 lower.

Step six: the 10 percent down loan for (d). The down payment is \$35,000 and the loan is \$315,000, which is 90 percent of the price. The payment is \$1,991.01.

Step seven: the PMI. \( 0.006 \times 315000 = 1890 \) a year, which is \( \dfrac{1890}{12} = 157.50 \) a month. The total is \( 1991.01 + 157.50 = 2148.51 \).

Step eight: state the answers. With 20 percent down, the payment is \$1,769.79 and the interest \$357,124.40. A 15-year loan is \$2,439.10 a month and \$159,038.00 of interest. With 10 percent down the payment is \$1,991.01 plus \$157.50 of PMI, \$378.72 a month more than the 20 percent-down payment. PMI ends when the balance reaches \$280,000.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find a 15 percent down payment on a \$400,000 home.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.15 \times 400000 = 60000 \). \$60,000

  2. A \$300,000 home is bought with 20 percent down. Find the loan and the 30-year payment at 6 percent.
    Show the full solution

    Loan \( 300000 \times 0.80 = 240000 \). \( i = 0.005 \), \( n = 360 \): \( M = 240000 \times \dfrac{0.005}{1 - (1.005)^{-360}} = 1438.92 \). \$240,000; \$1,438.92

  3. A \$380,000 home is bought with 20 percent down at 6.5 percent. Find the payment on a 15-year and a 30-year loan.
    Show the full solution

    Loan \( 0.80 \times 380000 = 304000 \). 15 years: \$2,648.17. 30 years: \$1,921.49. The 15-year payment is \$726.68 higher. \$2,648.17 and \$1,921.49

  4. On the \$280,000 loan at 6.5 percent, find the interest and principal in the first payment of \$1,769.79.
    Show the full solution

    Interest \( 280000 \times \dfrac{0.065}{12} = 1516.67 \). Principal \( 1769.79 - 1516.67 = 253.12 \). \$1,516.67 interest; \$253.12 principal

  5. Compare the payment on \$280,000 at 6.5 percent (\$1,769.79) with the payment at 7.0 percent (\$1,862.85).
    Show the full solution

    \( 1862.85 - 1769.79 = 93.06 \) a month, which is \( 93.06 \times 360 = 33501.60 \) over the loan. \$93.06 a month; \$33,501.60 over 30 years

  6. Find the annual PMI on a \$315,000 loan at 0.6 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.006 \times 315000 = 1890 \), or \$157.50 a month. \$1,890.00

  7. At what loan balance does PMI end on a \$350,000 home?
    Show the full solution

    When the loan reaches 80 percent of the price: \( 0.80 \times 350000 = 280000 \). \$280,000

  8. How much down payment is needed for 20 percent on a \$425,000 home?
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.20 \times 425000 = 85000 \). \$85,000

  9. Find the interest on the 30-year loan in the worked example as a multiple of the amount borrowed.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{357124.40}{280000} = 1.275 \). The interest is more than the loan itself. 1.28 times the amount borrowed

  10. A student budgets for a \$280,000 loan using a teaser rate of 4 percent, which gives a payment of \$1,336.76, but the rate resets to 6.5 percent. Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    The payment at 6.5 percent is \$1,769.79. A budget built on the teaser rate is \( 1769.79 - 1336.76 = 433.03 \) dollars a month too low once the rate resets. A loan must be budgeted at the rate that will apply. Budget at \$1,769.79, not \$1,336.76

Lesson 8.6 · Unit 8 · N-Q.3

Everything a house costs besides the loan

The mortgage payment is the most visible cost of owning, and it is well short of the whole. Closing costs are paid in cash at the start. Property tax, insurance and upkeep follow every month. Adding them up, and comparing the sum with the rent on a similar home, is the right test of whether to buy.

The method
  1. Closing costs are fees paid at purchase for the loan, title, appraisal and taxes. This course uses 3 percent of the price.
  2. Cash to close is the down payment plus closing costs.
  3. PITI is principal, interest, taxes and insurance: the loan payment plus monthly property tax and homeowner's insurance.
  4. Property tax is a rate times the assessed value, divided by 12. This course uses 1.1 percent of the price.
  5. Homeowner's insurance is a yearly premium divided by 12.
  6. Maintenance is a rule-of-thumb 1 percent of the value a year, divided by 12, for repairs and upkeep.
  7. An HOA (homeowners association) charge, where one applies, adds a monthly fee.
  8. The full monthly cost of owning is PITI plus maintenance plus any HOA fee. Compare it with rent, remembering that part of each payment builds equity.

Where students lose marks: the wrong base for upkeep and tax. Property tax is on the assessed value and maintenance is a percent of the home's value, not of the loan. Applying them to the loan of \$280,000 instead of the price of \$350,000 understates both.

Worked example

The problem. A buyer purchases a \$350,000 home with a \$280,000 loan at 6.5 percent for 30 years (payment \$1,769.79). Property tax is 1.1 percent of the price, insurance is \$1,560 a year, maintenance is 1 percent a year, and closing costs are 3 percent. (a) Find the cash to close. (b) Find PITI. (c) Find the full monthly cost. (d) Compare with rent of \$1,650.

Step one: closing costs for (a). \( 0.03 \times 350000 = 10500 \).

Step two: cash to close. The down payment is \$70,000, so the cash is \( 70000 + 10500 = 80{,}500 \) dollars.

Step three: property tax and insurance. Tax \( \dfrac{0.011 \times 350000}{12} = 320.83 \) a month. Insurance \( \dfrac{1560}{12} = 130.00 \) a month.

Step four: PITI for (b). \( 1769.79 + 320.83 + 130.00 = 2{,}220.62 \) dollars.

Step five: maintenance. \( \dfrac{0.01 \times 350000}{12} = 291.67 \) a month.

Step six: the full monthly cost for (c). \( 2220.62 + 291.67 = 2{,}512.29 \) dollars. With a \$180 HOA charge it would be \$2,692.29.

Step seven: compare with rent for (d). \( 2512.29 - 1650 = 862.29 \) dollars a month more than renting. Over a year the owner spends \( 12 \times 2512.29 = 30147.48 \) dollars, against \$19,800 in rent.

Step eight: state the answers. The buyer needs \$80,500 in cash, pays PITI of \$2,220.62 and a full monthly cost of \$2,512.29. The extra \$862.29 a month buys equity (in the first year \$3,129.60 of principal) and any rise in the price, but it is not free. Only the first \$1,769.79 of the cost is on the loan statement.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the closing costs at 2.5 percent on a \$300,000 home.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.025 \times 300000 = 7500 \). \$7,500.00

  2. Find the monthly property tax at 1.1 percent on a \$420,000 home.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{0.011 \times 420000}{12} = \dfrac{4620}{12} = 385 \). \$385.00

  3. Find PITI when principal and interest are \$1,650, taxes \$380 and insurance \$120 a month.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1650 + 380 + 120 = 2150 \). \$2,150.00

  4. Find the monthly maintenance budget at 1 percent a year on a \$280,000 home.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{0.01 \times 280000}{12} = 233.33 \). \$233.33

  5. A buyer puts down \$60,000 on a \$300,000 home with 2.5 percent closing costs. Find the cash to close.
    Show the full solution

    Closing costs are \$7,500. \( 60000 + 7500 = 67500 \). \$67,500.00

  6. In the worked example, find how much more owning costs each month than renting for \$1,650.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2512.29 - 1650 = 862.29 \). \$862.29 a month

  7. Find the annual cost of owning in the worked example.
    Show the full solution

    \( 12 \times 2512.29 = 30147.48 \). \$30,147.48

  8. Find the full monthly cost with a \$180 HOA charge.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2512.29 + 180 = 2692.29 \). \$2,692.29

  9. A home appreciates 3 percent in a year. Find the gain on a \$350,000 home, and say whether it covers the extra cost of owning over renting.
    Show the full solution

    The gain is \( 0.03 \times 350000 = 10500 \). The extra cost of owning over renting is \( 12 \times 862.29 = 10347.48 \), so a 3 percent gain about pays for it, and the owner also builds equity through the loan. In a year when prices fall, the owner loses on both. \$10,500 against \$10,347.48 of extra cost

  10. A student says the cost of owning the \$350,000 home is the \$1,769.79 mortgage payment. Find the error and the size of the understatement.
    Show the full solution

    The loan payment omits property tax (\$320.83), insurance (\$130.00) and maintenance (\$291.67). The full cost is \$2,512.29, so the student understates it by \( 2512.29 - 1769.79 = 742.50 \) dollars a month. \$742.50 a month

Lesson 8.7 · Unit 8 · A-CED.1

How much house the income can carry

Lenders decide how large a loan to offer by comparing the monthly housing cost and the total debt payments with gross monthly income. Two ratios do the work. Applied in reverse, they tell a buyer the largest payment, the largest loan and the highest price that stay inside the limits.

The method
  1. Gross monthly income is gross annual income divided by 12.
  2. The front-end ratio is monthly housing cost divided by gross monthly income. The guideline is 28 percent or less.
  3. The back-end ratio is monthly housing cost plus all other debt payments, divided by gross monthly income. The guideline is 36 percent or less.
  4. Both limits apply. The maximum housing cost is the smaller of 28 percent of income and 36 percent of income minus other debt payments.
  5. Subtract taxes and insurance from the maximum housing cost to get the largest payment for principal and interest.
  6. The largest loan is that payment times the factor \( \dfrac{1 - (1 + i)^{-n}}{i} \), the present value of the payments.
  7. The highest price is the loan divided by the loan-to-value ratio, for example by 0.80 for a 20 percent down payment.
  8. A higher rate lowers the loan the same payment supports, so affordability falls when rates rise.

Where students lose marks: applying only one ratio. A buyer with large car and student loan payments can meet the 28 percent test and fail the 36 percent test. Compute both and take the smaller limit.

Worked example

The problem. A buyer earns \$96,000 a year and has \$600 a month in other debt payments. Property tax and insurance come to \$450 a month. The rate is 6.5 percent for 30 years, with 20 percent down. (a) Find the two limits. (b) Find the maximum housing cost. (c) Find the largest loan. (d) Find the highest price.

Step one: gross monthly income. \( \dfrac{96000}{12} = 8000 \).

Step two: the front-end limit for (a). \( 0.28 \times 8000 = 2240 \).

Step three: the back-end limit. \( 0.36 \times 8000 = 2880 \), less the other debts: \( 2880 - 600 = 2280 \).

Step four: the maximum housing cost for (b). The smaller of \$2,240 and \$2,280 is \$2,240. The front-end ratio is the binding limit.

Step five: the largest payment for principal and interest. \( 2240 - 450 = 1790 \) dollars.

Step six: the largest loan for (c). The factor is \( \dfrac{1 - (1.0054167)^{-360}}{0.0054167} = 158.2108 \), so the loan is \( 1790 \times 158.2108 = 283{,}197.37 \).

Step seven: the highest price for (d). \( \dfrac{283197.37}{0.80} = 353{,}996.71 \) dollars, with a down payment of about \$70,800.

Step eight: state the answers. The limits are \$2,240 (front-end) and \$2,280 (back-end); the buyer can spend \$2,240 a month on housing, borrow \$283,197.37, and buy a home up to about \$354,000. At 7 percent the same \$1,790 supports a loan of only \$269,051, which shows why a rise in rates lowers prices buyers can pay.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find 28 percent of a gross monthly income of \$6,000.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.28 \times 6000 = 1680 \). \$1,680.00

  2. With other debts of \$500 a month and income of \$6,000, find the back-end limit on housing.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.36 \times 6000 = 2160 \), less \$500 is \$1,660. \$1,660.00

  3. A housing cost of \$1,980 on gross monthly income of \$5,500: find the front-end ratio.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1980}{5500} = 0.36 \), or 36 percent, above the 28 percent guideline. 36 percent

  4. With other debts of \$420, find the back-end ratio for that housing cost.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1980 + 420}{5500} = \dfrac{2400}{5500} = 0.4364 \). 43.64 percent

  5. What annual income makes a \$2,100 housing cost 28 percent of gross income?
    Show the full solution

    Monthly \( \dfrac{2100}{0.28} = 7500 \), and \( 12 \times 7500 = 90000 \). \$90,000.00

  6. Find the loan supported by a principal and interest payment of \$1,500 at 6 percent for 30 years.
    Show the full solution

    The factor is \( \dfrac{1 - (1.005)^{-360}}{0.005} = 166.7916 \), and \( 1500 \times 166.7916 = 250187.42 \). \$250,187.42

  7. Find the loan supported by \$1,700 at 7 percent for 30 years.
    Show the full solution

    The factor is \( \dfrac{1 - (1.005833)^{-360}}{0.005833} = 150.3076 \), and \( 1700 \times 150.3076 = 255522.87 \). \$255,522.87

  8. How much more can a payment of \$1,700 borrow at 6.5 percent than at 7 percent?
    Show the full solution

    At 6.5 percent: \( 1700 \times 158.2108 = 268958.40 \). The difference from the 7 percent loan is \( 268958.40 - 255522.87 = 13435.53 \). \$13,435.53

  9. The back-end limit for a buyer with income of \$5,500 is 36 percent. Find it in dollars.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.36 \times 5500 = 1980 \). This is the most the buyer can spend on housing and other debts together. \$1,980.00

  10. A student checks only the front-end ratio and says a buyer is fine, but the buyer has \$900 in other monthly debts, income of \$5,500 and a housing cost of \$1,540. Find the back-end ratio.
    Show the full solution

    The front-end ratio is \( \dfrac{1540}{5500} = 28 \) percent, which passes. The back-end ratio is \( \dfrac{1540 + 900}{5500} = 44.36 \) percent, which exceeds 36 percent. The buyer fails the back-end test, so both ratios must be checked. Back-end 44.36 percent: fails

Lesson 8.8 · Unit 8 · A-SSE.4

Replacing a loan, and borrowing against what you own

A homeowner can replace a mortgage with a new one at a lower rate, for a fee, or borrow against the value built up in the house. Both are decisions that turn on a break-even time: how long until the savings repay the cost.

The method
  1. Equity is value minus the loan balance. As a percent it is equity divided by value.
  2. Refinancing replaces the loan with a new one, often at a lower rate, for the closing costs of a new loan.
  3. The monthly saving is the old payment minus the new one, for the same remaining balance and term.
  4. The break-even time is the closing costs divided by the monthly saving. If the homeowner will stay longer than that, refinancing pays.
  5. Resetting the term to 30 years can lower the payment and raise the total interest, as in Lesson 7.3. Compare over the same remaining term.
  6. A cash-out refinance borrows more than the old balance and takes the difference in cash, at the price of a larger loan.
  7. A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a revolving loan secured by the house, usually at a variable rate, often with interest-only payments.
  8. The house is the collateral. Missing payments can cost the home.

Where students lose marks: comparing payments only. A lower payment from a longer term can cost more in total. Hold the remaining term the same when comparing rates, and use the break-even time to decide.

Worked example

The problem. A homeowner owes \$250,000 on a home worth \$340,000, with 25 years left at 7.5 percent. She can refinance for 25 years at 6.25 percent with closing costs of \$4,000. (a) Find her equity. (b) Find the old and new payments and the saving. (c) Find the break-even time. (d) Find the interest saved over the loan.

Step one: the equity for (a). \( 340000 - 250000 = 90000 \) dollars, which is \( \dfrac{90000}{340000} \times 100 = 26.5 \) percent of the value.

Step two: the old payment for (b). \( i = \dfrac{0.075}{12} = 0.00625 \) and \( n = 300 \): \( M = 250000 \times \dfrac{0.00625}{1 - (1.00625)^{-300}} = 1{,}847.48 \).

Step three: the new payment. \( i = \dfrac{0.0625}{12} = 0.0052083 \): \( M = 1{,}649.17 \) dollars.

Step four: the saving. \( 1847.48 - 1649.17 = 198.31 \) dollars a month.

Step five: break-even for (c). \( \dfrac{4000}{198.31} = 20.17 \) months. She must stay 21 months to come out ahead.

Step six: interest saved for (d). Old total interest: \( 1847.48 \times 300 - 250000 = 304244.00 \). New: \( 1649.17 \times 300 - 250000 = 244751.00 \). The difference is \$59,493.00.

Step seven: net of costs. \( 59493.00 - 4000 = 55493.00 \) dollars if she keeps the new loan to the end.

Step eight: state the answers. Her equity is \$90,000 (26.5 percent). The payment falls by \$198.31 a month, the costs are recovered in about 21 months, and the lifetime saving is \$55,493.00 after costs. If she sold after 18 months she would have saved \( 18 \times 198.31 = 3569.58 \) and lost \$430.42 on the \$4,000.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A home is worth \$410,000 and the loan balance is \$285,000. Find the equity.
    Show the full solution

    \( 410000 - 285000 = 125000 \). \$125,000

  2. Find the equity in the last problem as a percent of the value.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{125000}{410000} \times 100 = 30.49 \). 30.49 percent

  3. A \$200,000 balance has 25 years left. Find the payment at 7 percent and at 6 percent, and the monthly saving.
    Show the full solution

    At 7 percent: \$1,413.56. At 6 percent: \$1,288.60. The saving is \( 1413.56 - 1288.60 = 124.96 \). \$1,413.56 and \$1,288.60; \$124.96 saved

  4. The refinance in the last problem costs \$3,500. Find the break-even time.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{3500}{124.96} = 28.01 \) months, so she must stay at least 29 months. 28.01 months

  5. A cash-out refinance increases a \$250,000 loan to \$290,000 at 6.25 percent over 25 years. Find the payment.
    Show the full solution

    \( 290000 \times \dfrac{0.0052083}{1 - (1.0052083)^{-300}} = 1913.04 \), which is \$263.87 more than the \$1,649.17 payment on \$250,000. \$1,913.04

  6. A HELOC of \$20,000 at 9 percent is interest-only. Find the monthly payment and whether the balance falls.
    Show the full solution

    \( 20000 \times \dfrac{0.09}{12} = 150 \) a month. An interest-only payment leaves the \$20,000 unchanged, so the balance does not fall until principal payments begin. \$150.00; the balance does not fall

  7. The homeowner refinances \$250,000 at 6.25 percent over a new 30 years. Find the payment and the total interest, and compare with the 25-year refinance.
    Show the full solution

    The 30-year payment is \$1,539.29, which is \$109.88 less than the 25-year payment. Total interest is \( 1539.29 \times 360 - 250000 = 304144.40 \), which is \$59,393.40 more than the \$244,751.00 on the 25-year loan. \$1,539.29; \$304,144.40

  8. In the worked example, how many years to break even?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{20.17}{12} = 1.68 \) years. 1.68 years

  9. If the homeowner sells after 18 months, find the net result of the refinance.
    Show the full solution

    Savings \( 18 \times 198.31 = 3569.58 \), less the \$4,000 cost, is \( -430.42 \). A net loss of \$430.42

  10. A student says, "A lower payment always means a refinance saves money." Use the 30-year refinance to show the problem.
    Show the full solution

    Stretching the term to 30 years lowers the payment to \$1,539.29, but the total interest rises to \$304,144.40, which is \$59,393.40 more than the 25-year refinance and close to the \$304,244.00 of the original loan. The payment fell because the loan was made longer, and the saving was given back in interest. A lower payment can cost more in total

Unit 8 review · 10 problems · all lessons

Unit 8 review: Cars and Housing

These are shuffled across all eight lessons. Compare options on total cost over the same period, not on one monthly figure.

  1. A car costs \$27,500 with 7.5% sales tax and \$600 of fees. The buyer puts \$4,000 down. Find the amount financed.
    Show the full solution

    Tax \( 0.075(27500) = \$2{,}062.50 \). Total \( 27500 + 2062.50 + 600 = \$30{,}162.50 \). Less the down payment. \$26,162.50

  2. A \$32,000 car loses 18% of its value in year one and 12% in each later year. Find its value after 4 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 32000(0.82)(0.88)^3 = 32000(0.82)(0.681472) \). \$17,881.83

  3. A lease costs \$329 a month for 36 months plus \$2,000 due at signing. Find the total cost and the real cost per month.
    Show the full solution

    Total \( 329(36) + 2000 = \$13{,}844 \). Per month \( \dfrac{13844}{36} \). \$13,844 total; \$384.56 a month

  4. Rent is \$1,450 a month in year one and rises 3% each year. Renter's insurance is \$18 a month. Find the total cost of five years.
    Show the full solution

    Rent by year: \( 17400 \), then times 1.03 each year. Sum \( 17400 \cdot \dfrac{(1.03)^5 - 1}{0.03} = 17400(5.309136) = 92{,}378.96 \). Insurance \( 18(12)(5) = \$1{,}080 \). \$93,458.96

  5. Find the monthly principal-and-interest payment on a \$280,000 mortgage at 6.5% for 30 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.065 \div 12 \), \( n = 360 \). \( (1 + i)^{-360} = 0.143025 \). \( PMT = \dfrac{280000 i}{1 - (1 + i)^{-360}} \). The schedule ends at zero. \$1,769.79

  6. A home costs \$350,000 with 20% down. Property tax is 1.1% of the price a year and insurance is \$1,680 a year. Find the loan and the full monthly cost, using 6.5% for 30 years.
    Show the full solution

    Loan \( 0.80(350000) = \$280{,}000 \), payment \$1,769.79. Tax \( \dfrac{0.011(350000)}{12} = \$320.83 \). Insurance \( \dfrac{1680}{12} = \$140 \). Add. \$280,000 loan; \$2,230.62 a month

  7. A household earns \$7,200 a month gross and has \$450 of other monthly debt. Lenders want housing at most 28% of gross and total debt at most 36%. Find the most the housing payment can be.
    Show the full solution

    Front-end limit \( 0.28(7200) = \$2{,}016 \). Back-end limit \( 0.36(7200) - 450 = \$2{,}142 \). The smaller limit governs. \$2,016

  8. A homeowner owes \$240,000 at 7% with 25 years left, and can refinance the same \$240,000 at 5.5% for 25 years, paying \$4,800 in closing costs. Find the monthly saving and the break-even time.
    Show the full solution

    Old payment \$1,696.27; new payment \$1,473.81. Saving \( 1{,}696.27 - 1{,}473.81 = 222.46 \). Break-even \( \dfrac{4800}{222.46} \). \$222.46 a month; about 22 months

  9. A home is worth \$380,000 and the mortgage balance is \$255,000. Find the equity and the loan-to-value ratio.
    Show the full solution

    Equity \( 380000 - 255000 = \$125{,}000 \). LTV \( \dfrac{255000}{380000} = 0.6711 \). \$125,000 of equity; LTV about 67.1%

  10. A student says a 15-year loan at 5.75% must cost more than a 30-year loan at 6.5% on \$280,000 because its payment is higher. Find the total interest on each.
    Show the full solution

    30-year: \$1,769.79 for 360 months, interest \( 637{,}124.40 - 280000 = 357{,}124.40 \). 15-year: \$2,325.15 for 180 months, interest \( 418{,}527.00 - 280000 = 138{,}527.00 \). Payment and total cost are different questions. The 30-year loan costs \$357,124.40 in interest and the 15-year costs \$138,527

Lesson 9.1 · Unit 9 · N-Q.3

What insurance charges, and what it leaves to you

Insurance moves a large, unlikely cost onto a company in exchange for a small, certain payment. The payment is the premium, and the contract also leaves some of each loss with the customer through a deductible and a share of the bill. Reading a policy means finding exactly how much you pay in a good year and in a bad one.

The method
  1. The premium is the price of the coverage, paid monthly or yearly whether or not a claim is made. Annual premium is the monthly premium times 12.
  2. The deductible is the amount of a covered loss the customer pays first, in a year, before the insurer pays anything.
  3. Coinsurance is the customer's share of the loss after the deductible. A 20 percent coinsurance means the customer pays 20 cents of each remaining dollar.
  4. The out-of-pocket maximum caps the customer's payments for the year. After it is reached the insurer pays everything covered.
  5. A copay is a fixed fee for a service, such as \$30 for a visit.
  6. The customer's payment on a bill \( B \) is \( B \) if \( B \le \) the deductible; otherwise the deductible plus the coinsurance rate times the amount above it; never more than the out-of-pocket maximum.
  7. The total cost of the year is the annual premium plus the customer's payments on bills.
  8. The worst case is known in advance: the premium plus the out-of-pocket maximum. That is the point of the contract.

Where students lose marks: applying the coinsurance to the whole bill. The customer pays the deductible first, and the coinsurance share applies only to the amount above it. A 20 percent share of a \$12,000 bill is not \$2,400.

Worked example

The problem. A health plan has a premium of \$320 a month, a deductible of \$1,500, 20 percent coinsurance and an out-of-pocket maximum of \$5,000. Find the year's total cost for bills of (a) \$900, (b) \$12,000 and (c) \$40,000. (d) Find the bill at which the maximum is reached.

Step one: the annual premium. \( 320 \times 12 = 3840 \) dollars, paid in every case.

Step two: the \$900 bill for (a). It is below the deductible, so the customer pays all \$900. Total \( 3840 + 900 = 4740 \).

Step three: the \$12,000 bill for (b). The customer pays the deductible \$1,500 plus 20 percent of the \$10,500 above it: \( 1500 + 0.20 \times 10500 = 3600 \). The insurer pays \$8,400. Total \( 3840 + 3600 = 7440 \).

Step four: the \$40,000 bill for (c). Without a cap the customer would pay \( 1500 + 0.20 \times 38500 = 9200 \). The cap limits it to \$5,000. The insurer pays \$35,000. Total \( 3840 + 5000 = 8840 \).

Step five: the cap point for (d). The customer reaches \$5,000 when \( 1500 + 0.20 \times (B - 1500) = 5000 \), so \( B - 1500 = \dfrac{3500}{0.20} = 17500 \) and \( B = 19000 \).

Step six: check. At \$19,000: \( 1500 + 0.20 \times 17500 = 5000 \). Above \$19,000 the insurer pays every additional dollar.

Step seven: interpret. The premium of \$3,840 is the largest piece in a healthy year. In the worst year the total is \$8,840, which is \$5,000 more than in a year with no bills, and it cannot be higher.

Step eight: state the answers. Totals are \$4,740, \$7,440 and \$8,840. The maximum is reached at a \$19,000 bill. The plan turns a possible bill of \$40,000 into a cost of at most \$8,840.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A plan charges \$275 a month. Find the annual premium.
    Show the full solution

    \( 275 \times 12 = 3300 \). \$3,300

  2. A plan has a \$1,000 deductible. A patient's bill is \$800. Find her payment.
    Show the full solution

    The bill is below the deductible, so she pays all of it. \$800

  3. The plan has a \$1,000 deductible, 20 percent coinsurance and a \$4,000 maximum. Find the payment on a \$6,000 bill.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1000 + 0.20 \times 5000 = 2000 \), below the maximum. \$2,000

  4. With the same plan, find the payment on a \$30,000 bill.
    Show the full solution

    Uncapped: \( 1000 + 0.20 \times 29000 = 6800 \). The maximum limits it. \$4,000

  5. A plan charges a \$30 copay per visit and \$15 per prescription. Find the cost of 3 visits and 12 prescriptions.
    Show the full solution

    \( 3 \times 30 + 12 \times 15 = 90 + 180 = 270 \). \$270

  6. With the plan in problem 3 and a \$275 monthly premium, find the year's total cost for a \$6,000 bill and what the insurer pays.
    Show the full solution

    Total \( 3300 + 2000 = 5300 \). The insurer pays \( 6000 - 2000 = 4000 \). \$5,300 total; insurer pays \$4,000

  7. At what bill is the \$4,000 maximum reached for that plan?
    Show the full solution

    \( 1000 + 0.20 \times (B - 1000) = 4000 \), so \( B - 1000 = 15000 \) and \( B = 16000 \). \$16,000

  8. Find the worst-case cost of a year on that plan.
    Show the full solution

    The premium plus the maximum: \( 3300 + 4000 = 7300 \). \$7,300

  9. In the worked example, find the insurer's payment on the \$12,000 bill.
    Show the full solution

    \( 12000 - 3600 = 8400 \). \$8,400

  10. A student says a \$12,000 bill on the worked example's plan costs \( 0.20 \times 12000 = 2400 \). Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    The deductible comes first. The patient pays the first \$1,500 in full and 20 percent of the remaining \$10,500, which is \$2,100, for \$3,600. Applying 20 percent to the whole bill understates the cost by \$1,200. \$3,600, not \$2,400

Lesson 9.2 · Unit 9 · S-MD.3-5

The average outcome of an uncertain event

Insurance works because an insurer can predict the average cost of many customers even though it cannot predict any one customer's loss. The average is the expected value: each outcome weighted by its probability. It explains how premiums are set and why a single policy usually costs more than it is expected to pay.

The method
  1. An outcome has a value and a probability. The probabilities of all outcomes add to 1.
  2. The expected value is \( E = \sum p_k x_k \), the sum of each value times its probability.
  3. It is a long-run average, not what happens on one trial. A fair die has an expected value of 3.5 and never shows 3.5.
  4. A fair price for a game equals its expected payout.
  5. The expected payout of a policy is the probability of a claim times the amount paid.
  6. The premium exceeds the expected payout. The difference covers the insurer's costs and profit.
  7. Across many customers the average holds, so the insurer's income is predictable: premiums collected minus expected claims.
  8. For one customer, insurance can have a negative expected value and still be worthwhile when the loss, though unlikely, would be ruinous.

Where students lose marks: forgetting the probability. A loss of \$250,000 sounds frightening, but with probability 0.004 its expected cost is \( 0.004 \times 250000 = 1000 \) dollars. Multiply each outcome by how likely it is before comparing with a price.

Worked example

The problem. (a) Find the expected value of one roll of a fair die. (b) A policy costs \$260 a year and pays \$10,000 if a 2 percent event happens. Find the expected payout and the insurer's margin. (c) Phone insurance costs \$12 a month and replaces an \$800 phone, which is lost or broken in 6 percent of years. Find the expected loss and the premium. (d) Decide.

Step one: the die for (a). \( E = \dfrac{1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6}{6} = 3.5 \).

Step two: the expected payout for (b). \( 0.02 \times 10000 = 200 \) dollars.

Step three: the margin. The premium is \$260, so \$60 above the expected payout, which is \( \dfrac{60}{200} \times 100 = 30 \) percent over the expected claims.

Step four: the phone for (c). The expected loss is \( 0.06 \times 800 = 48 \) dollars a year. The premium is \( 12 \times 12 = 144 \) dollars.

Step five: compare. The premium is three times the expected loss. The owner expects to lose \( 144 - 48 = 96 \) dollars a year by buying the policy.

Step six: decide for (d). A phone replacement of \$800 can be absorbed by most budgets, and a person with an emergency fund should skip the policy. A person who could not pay \$800 at all might still buy it, because the point of insurance for that person is to avoid the loss.

Step seven: think about the insurer. With 10,000 customers at \$260, the insurer collects \$2,600,000 and expects to pay \$2,000,000, a surplus of \$600,000 before costs. The surplus is predictable because the average of many customers is steady.

Step eight: state the answers. The die averages 3.5; the policy's expected payout is \$200 against a \$260 premium; the phone policy costs \$144 for an expected \$48. Insurance is best spent on losses that would be severe, not on those that are merely annoying.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A coin flip wins \$10 on heads and loses \$6 on tails. Find the expected value.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.5 \times 10 + 0.5 \times (-6) = 5 - 3 = 2 \). \$2.00

  2. A 5 percent chance of a \$4,000 loss: find the expected loss.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.05 \times 4000 = 200 \). \$200

  3. A 0.4 percent chance of a \$250,000 loss: find the expected loss.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.004 \times 250000 = 1000 \). \$1,000

  4. A game pays \$20 with probability 0.3 and nothing otherwise. Find the fair price.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.3 \times 20 = 6 \). \$6.00

  5. An event pays \$0 with probability 0.6, \$500 with probability 0.3 and \$2,000 with probability 0.1. Find the expected value.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.6 \times 0 + 0.3 \times 500 + 0.1 \times 2000 = 0 + 150 + 200 = 350 \). \$350.00

  6. A policy costs \$900 a year for a 3 percent chance of a \$25,000 loss. Find the expected payout and the insurer's margin.
    Show the full solution

    Expected payout \( 0.03 \times 25000 = 750 \). Margin \( 900 - 750 = 150 \), which is 20 percent of the expected payout. \$750; \$150

  7. An insurer sells 10,000 of those policies. Find the premiums collected and the expected claims.
    Show the full solution

    Premiums \( 10000 \times 900 = 9{,}000{,}000 \). Expected claims \( 10000 \times 750 = 7{,}500{,}000 \). \$9,000,000 and \$7,500,000

  8. Find the insurer's expected surplus and explain why it is reliable.
    Show the full solution

    \( 9000000 - 7500000 = 1500000 \). With 10,000 customers the number of claims is close to 300, plus or minus about 17, so the total cost varies only a few percent. A single customer's loss is unpredictable; thousands together are not. \$1,500,000

  9. A warranty costs \$150 and covers a repair of \$600 that happens 15 percent of the time. Find the expected repair cost and whether the warranty is a good buy.
    Show the full solution

    The expected cost is \( 0.15 \times 600 = 90 \). The warranty costs \$60 more than that, so on average the buyer loses money. It is worth buying only if a \$600 bill would be a hardship. \$90 expected against \$150 price

  10. A student says, "If insurance costs more than it is expected to pay, nobody should buy it." Give the reason the statement is wrong.
    Show the full solution

    Expected value measures the average, but a person bears one outcome. Suppose a 3 percent chance of a \$25,000 loss that the person could not pay. The \$900 premium is \$150 above the expected loss, but it removes the risk of a loss that would be ruinous. The value of insurance is in removing the worst case, not in beating the average. It protects against a loss the buyer could not absorb

Lesson 9.3 · Unit 9 · A-CED.1

When a claim pays less than the loss

A property claim is settled by a formula, and the formula has clauses that reduce the payment. The deductible comes off first. A coinsurance clause on a home adds a penalty for insuring the house for too little. Both can turn an expected payout into a disappointment, and both are avoided by reading the policy.

The method
  1. Collision and comprehensive coverage pay for damage to your own car. The payment is the loss minus the deductible, up to the car's value.
  2. Liability coverage pays others for harm you cause, up to a stated limit. Anything above the limit is the driver's own debt.
  3. Homeowners coverage is set as a limit of insurance on the dwelling. The replacement cost is what it would cost to rebuild.
  4. A coinsurance clause requires the owner to carry a minimum percent of the replacement cost, commonly 80 percent.
  5. The required amount is the required percent times the replacement cost.
  6. If the owner carries less than required, the payment is reduced in the ratio \( \dfrac{\text{carried}}{\text{required}} \).
  7. The payment for a loss \( L \) is \( \dfrac{\text{carried}}{\text{required}} \times L - \text{deductible} \), never more than the loss or the limit. If the owner carries at least the required amount, the ratio is 1.
  8. Review the limit each year, because rebuilding costs rise and a limit set years ago may now fall below the requirement.

Where students lose marks: subtracting the deductible before applying the ratio. The ratio applies to the loss first, and the deductible is taken from the result. Reversing the order gives a different and wrong payment.

Worked example

The problem. A home would cost \$300,000 to rebuild. The policy has an 80 percent coinsurance clause and a \$1,000 deductible. (a) Find the amount required. (b) The owner carries \$180,000 and has a \$60,000 loss. Find the payment. (c) Find the payment if she carried the required amount. (d) Find the cost of being underinsured.

Step one: the requirement for (a). \( 0.80 \times 300000 = 240000 \) dollars.

Step two: the ratio for (b). The owner carries \$180,000, so the ratio is \( \dfrac{180000}{240000} = 0.75 \).

Step three: the payment before the deductible. \( 0.75 \times 60000 = 45000 \) dollars.

Step four: subtract the deductible. \( 45000 - 1000 = 44000 \) dollars. The owner bears \$16,000 of the \$60,000 loss.

Step five: the compliant policy for (c). Carrying \$240,000 gives a ratio of 1, so the payment is \( 60000 - 1000 = 59000 \).

Step six: the cost of underinsuring for (d). \( 59000 - 44000 = 15000 \) dollars, which is 25 percent of the loss.

Step seven: the premium saved. The missing \$60,000 of coverage might have saved perhaps \$150 to \$200 a year in premium. The shortfall of \$15,000 in one claim is many years of that saving.

Step eight: state the answers. The requirement is \$240,000; the underinsured owner receives \$44,000, the compliant owner \$59,000, and the gap is \$15,000. A coinsurance penalty is proportional: the owner who carries three quarters of the requirement bears a quarter of every loss.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A collision claim is \$7,200 and the deductible is \$1,000. Find the payment.
    Show the full solution

    \( 7200 - 1000 = 6200 \). \$6,200

  2. A home costs \$250,000 to rebuild and the policy has an 80 percent clause. Find the amount required.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.80 \times 250000 = 200000 \). \$200,000

  3. Find the ratio of carried to required for \$150,000 carried and \$200,000 required.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{150000}{200000} = 0.75 \). 0.75

  4. With \$150,000 carried and \$200,000 required, find the payment on a \$40,000 loss with a \$500 deductible.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.75 \times 40000 = 30000 \), and \( 30000 - 500 = 29500 \). \$29,500

  5. Find the payment on the same loss if \$200,000 is carried.
    Show the full solution

    The ratio is 1: \( 40000 - 500 = 39500 \). \$39,500

  6. A driver with a liability limit of \$50,000 per accident is found responsible for \$70,000 of damages. Find what she must pay herself.
    Show the full solution

    The insurer pays up to the limit, \$50,000. She owes \( 70000 - 50000 = 20000 \). \$20,000

  7. A claim of \$2,400 is paid with a \$500 deductible or a \$1,000 deductible. Find the payment in each case.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2400 - 500 = 1900 \) and \( 2400 - 1000 = 1400 \). \$1,900 and \$1,400

  8. The higher deductible saves \$180 a year in premium. Find the monthly saving.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{180}{12} = 15 \). \$15 a month

  9. A car accident causes \$3,800 of damage and the owner has no collision coverage. What does the owner pay?
    Show the full solution

    Without the coverage, nothing is paid for damage to the owner's own car. \$3,800

  10. A home needing \$240,000 is insured for \$120,000, with a \$60,000 loss and a \$1,000 deductible. Find the payment and the percent of the loss the owner bears.
    Show the full solution

    The ratio is \( \dfrac{120000}{240000} = 0.5 \). Payment \( 0.5 \times 60000 - 1000 = 29000 \). The owner bears \( 60000 - 29000 = 31000 \), which is 51.7 percent of the loss. \$29,000; the owner bears 51.7 percent

Lesson 9.4 · Unit 9 · N-Q.3

Choosing between a cheap premium and a cheap bill

Health plans trade one cost for another. A plan with a low premium usually has a high deductible and leaves the customer more to pay in a bad year. A plan with a high premium protects more. Which is cheaper depends on how much care the customer uses, so the comparison is a function of the bill.

The method
  1. The year's total cost of a plan is the annual premium plus the customer's payment on the bills.
  2. The customer's payment follows the rule of Lesson 9.1: the deductible, then the coinsurance share, up to the out-of-pocket maximum.
  3. The total is a piecewise function of the bill. It rises with slope 1 up to the deductible, then with the coinsurance rate, then is flat at the cap.
  4. A plan with a high deductible and low premium is cheapest in a healthy year.
  5. A plan with a low deductible and high premium is cheapest when the bills are large.
  6. The break-even bill is the bill at which two plans have the same total. Set the two totals equal and solve.
  7. Compare the worst cases, the premium plus the out-of-pocket maximum. The gap between them is the price of extra protection.
  8. Choose by likely use and by the ability to absorb a bad year. A plan with a low premium works only if the customer could pay its out-of-pocket maximum.

Where students lose marks: comparing premiums only. A plan that saves \$2,640 in premiums and has a \$7,000 cap could cost \$860 more in the worst year. Compare the totals across several bill sizes.

Worked example

The problem. Plan A has a premium of \$210 a month, a \$4,000 deductible, 20 percent coinsurance and a \$7,000 maximum. Plan B has a premium of \$430 a month, a \$800 deductible, 10 percent coinsurance and a \$3,500 maximum. Find each plan's total cost for bills of (a) \$2,000, (b) \$10,000 and (c) \$50,000. (d) Find the bill at which they cost the same.

Step one: the premiums. A: \( 210 \times 12 = 2520 \). B: \( 430 \times 12 = 5160 \). The difference is \$2,640.

Step two: the \$2,000 bill for (a). Plan A: below the deductible, the customer pays \$2,000, for a total of \$4,520. Plan B: \( 800 + 0.10 \times 1200 = 920 \), for a total of \$6,080.

Step three: the \$10,000 bill for (b). Plan A: \( 4000 + 0.20 \times 6000 = 5200 \), total \$7,720. Plan B: \( 800 + 0.10 \times 9200 = 1720 \), total \$6,880.

Step four: the \$50,000 bill for (c). Both plans reach their maximums. Plan A totals \( 2520 + 7000 = 9520 \) and Plan B \( 5160 + 3500 = 8660 \).

Step five: set up the break-even for (d). For a bill \( b \) between \$800 and \$4,000, Plan A totals \( 2520 + b \) and Plan B totals \( 5160 + 800 + 0.10(b - 800) \).

Step six: solve. \( 2520 + b = 5880 + 0.10b \), so \( 0.90b = 3360 \) and \( b = 3733.33 \). Check: both totals are \$6,253.33.

Step seven: interpret. Below about \$3,733 of bills Plan A is cheaper. Above it Plan B is cheaper, all the way up, because Plan B's worst case (\$8,660) is below Plan A's (\$9,520).

Step eight: state the answers. Totals of \$4,520 and \$6,080; \$7,720 and \$6,880; \$9,520 and \$8,660; break-even at a bill of \$3,733.33. Plan A saves \$2,640 in a healthy year and costs up to \$860 more in the worst year.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning. Use Plans A and B from the worked example.

  1. Find the annual premium of Plan A.
    Show the full solution

    \( 210 \times 12 = 2520 \). \$2,520

  2. Find the customer's payment under Plan A on a \$2,000 bill.
    Show the full solution

    The bill is below the \$4,000 deductible, so the customer pays \$2,000. \$2,000

  3. Find the customer's payment under Plan B on a \$10,000 bill.
    Show the full solution

    \( 800 + 0.10 \times 9200 = 1720 \). \$1,720

  4. Find each plan's total cost of the year on a \$10,000 bill.
    Show the full solution

    Plan A: \( 2520 + 5200 = 7720 \). Plan B: \( 5160 + 1720 = 6880 \). \$7,720 and \$6,880

  5. At what bill does each plan reach its out-of-pocket maximum?
    Show the full solution

    Plan A: \( 4000 + \dfrac{7000 - 4000}{0.20} = 4000 + 15000 = 19000 \). Plan B: \( 800 + \dfrac{3500 - 800}{0.10} = 800 + 27000 = 27800 \). \$19,000 and \$27,800

  6. Find the worst-case cost of a year under each plan.
    Show the full solution

    Plan A: \( 2520 + 7000 = 9520 \). Plan B: \( 5160 + 3500 = 8660 \). \$9,520 and \$8,660

  7. Find each plan's cost of a year with no bills, and the difference.
    Show the full solution

    Plan A \$2,520 and Plan B \$5,160, a difference of \$2,640. \$2,520 and \$5,160; \$2,640

  8. Find the bill at which the two plans cost the same, and the common total.
    Show the full solution

    Solve \( 2520 + b = 5160 + 800 + 0.10(b - 800) \): \( 0.90b = 3360 \), \( b = 3733.33 \). The total is \( 2520 + 3733.33 = 6253.33 \). \$3,733.33; \$6,253.33

  9. Find how much more Plan A costs than Plan B in the worst year.
    Show the full solution

    \( 9520 - 8660 = 860 \). Plan A saves \$2,640 in a healthy year but costs up to \$860 more in the worst. \$860

  10. A student says, "Plan A is cheaper because its premium is \$2,640 lower." Use a \$10,000 bill to correct this.
    Show the full solution

    The premium is only part of the cost. On a \$10,000 bill the customer pays \$5,200 under Plan A and \$1,720 under Plan B, a \$3,480 difference that more than cancels the \$2,640 premium saving. Totals are \$7,720 and \$6,880, so Plan B is cheaper by \$840. Plan B is cheaper by \$840

Lesson 9.5 · Unit 9 · S-MD.5

Protecting the income that other people depend on

The largest asset most people have is the income they will earn. Two kinds of insurance protect it. Life insurance replaces income for dependents if the earner dies, and disability insurance replaces it if the earner cannot work. The arithmetic is a needs analysis: add up what must be covered, subtract what is already available, and price the rest.

The method
  1. Term life insurance pays a fixed amount if the insured dies within the term, for a premium that stays level for that term. It has no cash value.
  2. Whole life insurance covers life, costs several times as much, and builds a cash value. For most people term insurance plus separate saving is cheaper.
  3. A needs analysis adds four items: debts, the mortgage, income to replace (annual income times the years it is needed), and future costs such as education.
  4. Subtract existing resources: savings, employer life insurance and other assets. The result is the coverage to buy.
  5. Premiums are quoted per \$1,000 of coverage a year. The premium is the coverage in thousands times the rate.
  6. A person with no dependents usually has little need for life insurance.
  7. Disability insurance replaces about 60 percent of income, paid monthly, after an elimination period of weeks or months in which nothing is paid.
  8. Save a cushion for the elimination period. A 90-day wait needs three months of expenses in cash.

Where students lose marks: using a rule of thumb without the subtraction. A multiple of income ignores debts, savings and how many dependents there are. Compute the need from the items, and subtract what is already covered.

Worked example

The problem. A 30-year-old earns \$60,000. She has \$30,000 of debts, a \$220,000 mortgage, and wants to replace her income for 10 years and set aside \$80,000 for education. She has \$70,000 in savings and \$60,000 of employer-paid life insurance. Term insurance costs \$0.55 per \$1,000 per year. (a) Find the total need. (b) Find the coverage to buy. (c) Find the annual and monthly premium. (d) Find the disability benefit at 60 percent.

Step one: income to replace. \( 60000 \times 10 = 600000 \) dollars.

Step two: the total need for (a). \( 30000 + 220000 + 600000 + 80000 = 930000 \) dollars.

Step three: existing resources. \( 70000 + 60000 = 130000 \) dollars.

Step four: the coverage to buy for (b). \( 930000 - 130000 = 800000 \) dollars.

Step five: the premium for (c). There are 800 thousands of coverage: \( 800 \times 0.55 = 440 \) dollars a year.

Step six: the monthly premium. \( \dfrac{440}{12} = 36.67 \) dollars a month, 0.73 percent of her income.

Step seven: the disability benefit for (d). \( 0.60 \times 60000 = 36000 \) a year, or \( \dfrac{36000}{12} = 3000 \) a month.

Step eight: state the answers. The need is \$930,000; she should buy \$800,000 of term coverage for \$440 a year (\$36.67 a month); disability insurance would pay \$3,000 a month. A cushion of three months of expenses covers a 90-day elimination period. A rule of thumb of 10 times income would have suggested \$600,000, which is too little.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find 10 times an annual income of \$45,000.
    Show the full solution

    \( 45000 \times 10 = 450000 \). \$450,000

  2. Debts are \$25,000, the mortgage is \$180,000, 8 years of a \$50,000 income are to be replaced, education is \$60,000, and assets are \$40,000. Find the coverage to buy.
    Show the full solution

    Need \( 25000 + 180000 + 400000 + 60000 = 665000 \). Less assets: \( 665000 - 40000 = 625000 \). \$625,000

  3. Find the annual and monthly premium for \$500,000 of term coverage at \$0.42 per \$1,000 a year.
    Show the full solution

    \( 500 \times 0.42 = 210 \) a year, and \( \dfrac{210}{12} = 17.50 \) a month. \$210; \$17.50

  4. A disability policy replaces 60 percent of a \$48,000 income. Find the monthly benefit.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.60 \times 48000 = 28800 \) a year, and \( \dfrac{28800}{12} = 2400 \). \$2,400 a month

  5. The policy has a 90-day elimination period and the worker's expenses are \$2,400 a month. Find the cash cushion for the wait.
    Show the full solution

    Ninety days is three months: \( 3 \times 2400 = 7200 \). \$7,200

  6. Disability insurance costs 1.5 percent of a \$60,000 income. Find the yearly premium.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.015 \times 60000 = 900 \). \$900

  7. A 20-year term policy costs \$480 a year and a whole life policy for the same death benefit costs \$3,600 a year. Find the total premiums over 20 years and the difference.
    Show the full solution

    Term: \( 480 \times 20 = 9600 \). Whole life: \( 3600 \times 20 = 72000 \). The difference is \$62,400, which could be saved and invested separately. \$9,600 and \$72,000; \$62,400 more

  8. A worker earns \$52,000 and already has \$150,000 of coverage. A rule of thumb says 10 times income. How much more should she buy?
    Show the full solution

    The rule gives \( 10 \times 52000 = 520000 \). She needs \( 520000 - 150000 = 370000 \) more. \$370,000

  9. In the worked example, find the premium as a percent of income.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{440}{60000} \times 100 = 0.73 \). 0.73 percent

  10. A single 25-year-old with no dependents buys \$500,000 of term coverage "because insurance is responsible." Explain the flaw.
    Show the full solution

    Life insurance replaces income that other people depend on. With no dependents and no debts that someone else would have to pay, no one is harmed financially by her death, so the coverage has no beneficiary who needs it. The premium would be better saved. The exceptions are debts a co-signer would inherit and funeral costs. No dependents: little need

Lesson 9.6 · Unit 9 · A-CED.1

Is the discount worth the risk?

A higher deductible lowers the premium. The discount is certain and the extra cost arises only if there is a claim. Whether the trade is worthwhile depends on how often claims happen, and the break-even analysis finds the probability at which the two choices cost the same.

The method
  1. The premium saving is the difference in premiums between the low- and high-deductible policies, per year.
  2. The added exposure is the difference in deductibles: the extra the customer pays if a claim is made.
  3. The break-even probability is the saving divided by the exposure. If the chance of a claim in a year is below it, the higher deductible is cheaper on average.
  4. The expected extra cost is the probability of a claim times the exposure.
  5. Net expected saving is the premium saving minus the expected extra cost.
  6. Estimate the probability from history. One claim in six years suggests a chance of about 1 in 6, or 16.7 percent.
  7. The years to recoup the exposure are the exposure divided by the yearly saving.
  8. The customer must be able to pay the deductible. A high deductible is sound only if an emergency fund covers it.

Where students lose marks: comparing the deductibles without the probability. A \$500 higher deductible sounds costly, but if the chance of a claim is 10 percent, the expected cost is \$50 and the premium saving of \$180 is larger. The probability is the missing factor.

Worked example

The problem. An auto policy costs \$1,420 a year with a \$500 deductible or \$1,240 with a \$1,000 deductible. (a) Find the premium saving and the added exposure. (b) Find the break-even probability. (c) If the chance of a claim in a year is 10 percent, find the expected extra cost and the net expected saving. (d) Find the result after six claim-free years and then a claim.

Step one: the saving for (a). \( 1420 - 1240 = 180 \) dollars a year.

Step two: the exposure. \( 1000 - 500 = 500 \) dollars more if there is a claim.

Step three: the break-even for (b). \( \dfrac{180}{500} = 0.36 \), or 36 percent. If the chance of a claim in a year is less than 36 percent, the higher deductible costs less on average.

Step four: the expected extra cost for (c). \( 0.10 \times 500 = 50 \) dollars a year.

Step five: the net expected saving. \( 180 - 50 = 130 \) dollars a year in favor of the \$1,000 deductible.

Step six: the claim-free years for (d). Six years of savings total \( 6 \times 180 = 1080 \) dollars.

Step seven: the claim. In year seven a claim costs \$500 more than it would have with the lower deductible. The net result is \( 1080 - 500 = 580 \) dollars ahead.

Step eight: state the answers. The saving is \$180 and the exposure \$500; the break-even is 36 percent; the expected net saving is \$130 a year; and after six good years and a claim the higher deductible is still \$580 ahead. The owner needs at least \$1,000 set aside so the deductible can be paid when a claim comes.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A premium saving of \$180 a year is how much a month?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{180}{12} = 15 \). \$15

  2. A higher deductible saves \$240 a year and adds \$1,000 of exposure. Find the break-even probability.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{240}{1000} = 0.24 \). 24 percent

  3. With an 8 percent chance of a claim, find the expected extra cost of a \$1,000 higher deductible and the net saving of \$240.
    Show the full solution

    Expected extra cost \( 0.08 \times 1000 = 80 \). Net saving \( 240 - 80 = 160 \). \$80; \$160

  4. A driver has made one claim in six years. Estimate the yearly chance of a claim and the expected extra cost of an added \$500 deductible.
    Show the full solution

    The chance is about \( \dfrac{1}{6} = 0.1667 \), so the expected extra cost is \( 0.1667 \times 500 = 83.33 \). 16.7 percent; \$83.33

  5. Raising a deductible from \$500 to \$2,000 cuts the premium from \$1,680 to \$1,310. Find the saving, the exposure and the break-even probability.
    Show the full solution

    Saving \( 1680 - 1310 = 370 \). Exposure \( 2000 - 500 = 1500 \). Break-even \( \dfrac{370}{1500} = 0.2467 \). \$370; \$1,500; 24.67 percent

  6. In the last problem, find the years of savings needed to recoup the exposure.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1500}{370} = 4.05 \) years. If there will probably be no claim for about four years, the higher deductible pays. 4.05 years

  7. A claim causes \$6,000 of damage. Find the insurer's payment with a \$500 deductible and with a \$1,000 deductible.
    Show the full solution

    \( 6000 - 500 = 5500 \) and \( 6000 - 1000 = 5000 \). \$5,500 and \$5,000

  8. Find the total cost of a year with one claim under each policy in the worked example (premium plus deductible).
    Show the full solution

    Low deductible: \( 1420 + 500 = 1920 \). High deductible: \( 1240 + 1000 = 2240 \). In a year with a claim the low deductible is \$320 cheaper. \$1,920 and \$2,240

  9. After six claim-free years and then a claim, find the net result for the higher deductible.
    Show the full solution

    Savings \( 6 \times 180 = 1080 \), less the extra \$500 on the claim: \$580 ahead. \$580 ahead

  10. A student says, "I'll take the \$500 deductible because I might need to make a claim." Use expected value to evaluate this.
    Show the full solution

    The possibility is not the issue; its probability is. At a 10 percent yearly chance of a claim, the extra \$500 costs an expected \$50 a year, while the lower premium saves \$180. The \$500 deductible is worth choosing only if a claim is more likely than 36 percent in a year, or if the \$1,000 could not be paid when needed. The high deductible has the better expected value below 36 percent

Unit 9 review · 10 problems · all lessons

Unit 9 review: Insurance and Risk

These are shuffled across all six lessons. Work out who pays which part of a loss before you add anything.

  1. A plan charges \$380 a month in premiums, has a \$2,000 deductible, then 20% coinsurance, and caps the patient's yearly spending on care at \$5,000. Total care in a year is \$18,000. Find the patient's total cost for the year.
    Show the full solution

    Before the cap: \( 2000 + 0.20(18000 - 2000) = \$5{,}200 \), which is over the cap, so the patient pays \$5,000. Premiums \( 380(12) = \$4{,}560 \). Add. \$9,560

  2. There is a 1 in 200 chance of a \$30,000 loss in a year. Find the expected loss and the amount by which a \$210 premium exceeds it.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1}{200}(30000) = \$150 \). Excess \( 210 - 150 \). \$150; the premium is \$60 above it, which covers the insurer's costs

  3. A policy requires coverage of 80% of a home's \$300,000 replacement cost. The owner carries \$210,000 and has a \$60,000 fire loss and a \$1,000 deductible. Find the payout.
    Show the full solution

    Required \( 0.80(300000) = \$240{,}000 \). Carried fraction \( \dfrac{210000}{240000} = 0.875 \). \( 0.875(60000) = \$52{,}500 \), less the deductible. \$51,500

  4. Auto liability limits are \$25,000 per person, \$50,000 per accident and \$25,000 for property. The driver is at fault for injuries of \$40,000 to one person and \$30,000 to another and \$35,000 of property damage. Find what the driver must pay out of pocket.
    Show the full solution

    Injury 1: \( 40000 - 25000 = \$15{,}000 \). Injury 2: \( 30000 - 25000 = \$5{,}000 \). Property: \( 35000 - 25000 = \$10{,}000 \). The per-accident cap is not reached (\$50,000 total). \$30,000

  5. A parent earning \$55,000 wants 10 years of income replaced, plus \$180,000 of debts paid, less \$70,000 of savings. Find the coverage needed.
    Show the full solution

    \( 10(55000) = \$550{,}000 \). \( 550000 + 180000 - 70000 \). \$660,000

  6. A disability policy pays 60% of a \$4,500 monthly income. Fixed costs are \$3,300 a month. Find the monthly shortfall.
    Show the full solution

    Benefit \( 0.60(4500) = \$2{,}700 \). Shortfall \( 3300 - 2700 \). \$600 a month

  7. Plan A has a \$500 deductible and a \$1,320 yearly premium. Plan B has a \$2,000 deductible and a \$960 yearly premium. Find the break-even claim probability, the chance of a claim at which the plans cost the same on average.
    Show the full solution

    B saves \( 1320 - 960 = \$360 \) in premium but costs \( 2000 - 500 = \$1{,}500 \) more on a claim. Equal when \( p(1500) = 360 \), so \( p = \dfrac{360}{1500} \). 24%: choose B if a claim is less likely than that

  8. Life insurance costs \$4.20 per \$1,000 of coverage per year. Find the yearly and monthly cost of \$250,000.
    Show the full solution

    \( 250 \times 4.20 = \$1{,}050 \) a year. Divide by 12. \$1,050 a year; \$87.50 a month

  9. A claim is \$6,400 with a \$1,000 deductible, 20% coinsurance after it, and an out-of-pocket cap of \$3,500. Find what the patient pays and what the insurer pays.
    Show the full solution

    Patient \( 1000 + 0.20(6400 - 1000) = 1000 + 1080 = \$2{,}080 \), under the cap. Insurer \( 6400 - 2080 \). Patient \$2,080; insurer \$4,320

  10. A homeowner has a 0.5% chance a year of a \$200,000 loss. The premium is \$1,300. A student says the policy is a bad deal because its expected value is negative. Respond.
    Show the full solution

    Expected loss \( 0.005(200000) = \$1{,}000 \), so expected net is \( 1000 - 1300 = -\$300 \). That gap pays for the insurer's costs. The purpose is to replace a loss no household could absorb with a known yearly cost. Expected net is \$300 below zero, yet it removes a \$200,000 risk

Lesson 10.1 · Unit 10 · N-Q.3

Owning a piece of a company

A share of stock is a small ownership stake in a company. Its price moves every day, and the owner may also receive a share of the profits, called a dividend. The return on the investment combines both, measured against what was paid, and it needs to be expressed per year to be compared with anything else in this course.

The method
  1. The cost of a purchase is the number of shares times the price per share, plus any commission.
  2. The capital gain is the sale proceeds minus the cost. A negative result is a capital loss.
  3. A dividend is a cash payment per share. Total dividends are the dividend per share times the shares.
  4. The total return is \( \dfrac{\text{gain} + \text{dividends}}{\text{cost}} \), times 100 for a percent.
  5. The base is always the cost. The return is measured against what was put in, not against the sale price.
  6. To annualize a return over \( t \) years, use \( (1 + R)^{1/t} - 1 \), where \( R \) is the total return as a decimal.
  7. Whole shares only: the number of shares is the money available divided by the price, rounded down.
  8. A loss needs a larger gain to recover. After a fall of \( x \) the price must rise by \( \dfrac{x}{1 - x} \) to return to the start.

Where students lose marks: the wrong base. A stock that falls from \$12 to \$6 has lost 50 percent, and it must rise 100 percent, not 50, to return to \$12. Always divide by the starting amount of the period being measured.

Worked example

The problem. An investor buys 40 shares at \$52.50 and sells them two years later at \$58.80. The stock paid \$1.20 per share in dividends over the two years. (a) Find the cost and the sale proceeds. (b) Find the capital gain and the dividends. (c) Find the total return. (d) Find the annualized return.

Step one: the cost for (a). \( 40 \times 52.50 = 2100 \) dollars.

Step two: the proceeds. \( 40 \times 58.80 = 2352 \) dollars.

Step three: the gain for (b). \( 2352 - 2100 = 252 \) dollars, which is 12.00 percent of the cost.

Step four: the dividends. \( 40 \times 1.20 = 48 \) dollars.

Step five: the total return for (c). \( \dfrac{252 + 48}{2100} = \dfrac{300}{2100} = 0.142857 \), or 14.29 percent.

Step six: annualize for (d). \( (1.142857)^{1/2} - 1 = 0.069045 \), so 6.90 percent a year.

Step seven: check. \( 2100 \times (1.069045)^2 = 2400 \), which equals the \$2,352 of proceeds plus \$48 of dividends.

Step eight: state the answers. Cost \$2,100; proceeds \$2,352; gain \$252; dividends \$48; total return 14.29 percent over two years, 6.90 percent a year. Quoting 14.29 percent alone would overstate the yearly figure by more than double.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the cost of 50 shares at \$34.
    Show the full solution

    \( 50 \times 34 = 1700 \). \$1,700

  2. The 50 shares are sold at \$39.60. Find the gain and the percent return, ignoring dividends.
    Show the full solution

    Proceeds \( 50 \times 39.60 = 1980 \). Gain \( 1980 - 1700 = 280 \). Return \( \dfrac{280}{1700} \times 100 = 16.47 \). \$280; 16.47 percent

  3. An investor buys 100 shares at \$28 and sells at \$21.50. Find the loss and the percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 100 \times (21.50 - 28) = -650 \), and \( \dfrac{-6.50}{28} \times 100 = -23.21 \). A loss of \$650; 23.21 percent

  4. That stock paid \$0.80 per share in dividends. Find the total return.
    Show the full solution

    Dividends \( 100 \times 0.80 = 80 \). Return \( \dfrac{-650 + 80}{2800} \times 100 = -20.36 \). Negative 20.36 percent

  5. An investment returns 40 percent in total over 5 years. Find the annualized return.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.40)^{1/5} - 1 = 0.0696 \). 6.96 percent a year

  6. In the worked example, the broker charges \$8 on each trade. Find the total return after commissions.
    Show the full solution

    The cost is \( 2100 + 8 = 2108 \) and the proceeds net \( 2352 - 8 = 2344 \). Gain plus dividends: \( 2344 + 48 - 2108 = 284 \), and \( \dfrac{284}{2108} = 13.47 \) percent. 13.47 percent

  7. How many whole shares can \$3,000 buy at \$47.50?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{3000}{47.50} = 63.16 \), so 63 whole shares, costing \$2,992.50. 63 shares

  8. What gain is needed to recover from a 25 percent fall, and from a 50 percent fall?
    Show the full solution

    After a 25 percent fall the value is 0.75, so the gain is \( \dfrac{1}{0.75} - 1 = 33.33 \) percent. After 50 percent it is \( \dfrac{1}{0.5} - 1 = 100 \) percent. 33.33 percent; 100 percent

  9. A stock goes from \$12 to \$15 and pays \$0.60 in dividends. Find the total return.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{3 + 0.60}{12} = 0.30 \). 30 percent

  10. A student says that a stock that falls 50 percent and then rises 50 percent is back where it began. Test this with \$100.
    Show the full solution

    \( 100 \times 0.50 = 50 \), then \( 50 \times 1.50 = 75 \). The investor is down 25 percent, because the rise applies to the smaller amount. \$75, not \$100

Lesson 10.2 · Unit 10 · F-LE.2

Lending to a company or a government

A bond is a loan the investor makes. The issuer promises fixed interest payments and the return of the face value on a set date. The promise is fixed but the market price is not, and the link between price and interest rates is the present value idea from Unit 5 in a new setting.

The method
  1. The face value is the amount repaid at maturity, commonly \$1,000.
  2. The coupon is the fixed yearly interest, the coupon rate times the face value. A 4 percent coupon pays \$40 a year.
  3. The current yield is the coupon divided by the price paid.
  4. Buying below face value adds a gain at maturity; buying above subtracts one.
  5. The approximate yield to maturity is \( \dfrac{\text{coupon} + (\text{face} - \text{price})/\text{years}}{(\text{face} + \text{price})/2} \).
  6. A bond's price is the present value of its payments, discounted at the market rate: the coupons plus the face value.
  7. When market rates rise, bond prices fall, and when rates fall, prices rise.
  8. Held to maturity, the investor receives every coupon and the face value regardless of the interim price, unless the issuer defaults.

Where students lose marks: the direction of the price. A rate rise makes existing bonds less attractive, so their prices fall. A 4 percent bond has a price below \$1,000 when new bonds pay 5 percent, and a student who says the price rises has reversed the relationship.

Worked example

The problem. A 5-year bond has a face value of \$1,000 and a 4 percent annual coupon. (a) Find the coupon. (b) An investor buys it at \$950. Find the current yield and the approximate yield to maturity. (c) Find the fair price if market rates are 5 percent. (d) Find it at 3 percent.

Step one: the coupon for (a). \( 0.04 \times 1000 = 40 \) dollars a year.

Step two: the current yield for (b). \( \dfrac{40}{950} \times 100 = 4.21 \) percent.

Step three: the gain at maturity. The investor pays \$950 and receives \$1,000, a gain of \$50 over 5 years, or \$10 a year.

Step four: the approximate yield to maturity. \( \dfrac{40 + 10}{(1000 + 950)/2} = \dfrac{50}{975} = 0.0513 \), or 5.13 percent.

Step five: the price at 5 percent for (c). Discount each payment: \( 40 \times \dfrac{1 - (1.05)^{-5}}{0.05} + \dfrac{1000}{(1.05)^5} = 40 \times 4.3295 + 783.53 = 956.71 \).

Step six: the price at 3 percent for (d). \( 40 \times \dfrac{1 - (1.03)^{-5}}{0.03} + \dfrac{1000}{(1.03)^5} = 40 \times 4.5797 + 862.61 = 1045.80 \).

Step seven: check the benchmark. At 4 percent, the coupon rate, the price is \$1,000.00. A market rate above the coupon puts the price below face value, and below the coupon puts it above.

Step eight: state the answers. The coupon is \$40; the current yield is 4.21 percent and the yield to maturity about 5.13 percent; the fair price is \$956.71 at 5 percent and \$1,045.80 at 3 percent. The \$950 price suggests the market wanted about 5.1 percent.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the annual coupon on a \$1,000 bond with a 5 percent coupon rate.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.05 \times 1000 = 50 \). \$50

  2. That bond is bought at \$1,025. Find the current yield.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{50}{1025} \times 100 = 4.88 \). 4.88 percent

  3. Find the total interest and face value received over 10 years from that bond.
    Show the full solution

    Coupons \( 50 \times 10 = 500 \), plus the face value \$1,000, is \$1,500. \$1,500

  4. A bond with a 6 percent coupon is bought at \$1,050. Find the current yield.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{60}{1050} \times 100 = 5.71 \). 5.71 percent

  5. Is a bond bought at \$1,050 with a face value of \$1,000 bought at a premium or a discount?
    Show the full solution

    The price is above face value, so it is a premium, and \$50 will be lost at maturity. A premium

  6. Find the approximate yield to maturity for that 5-year bond with a 6 percent coupon.
    Show the full solution

    The yearly loss is \( \dfrac{1000 - 1050}{5} = -10 \). Then \( \dfrac{60 - 10}{(1000 + 1050)/2} = \dfrac{50}{1025} = 4.88 \) percent, below the current yield of 5.71 percent. 4.88 percent

  7. Find the price of a 10-year, 5 percent coupon bond when market rates are 6 percent and when they are 4 percent.
    Show the full solution

    At 6 percent: \( 50 \times 7.3601 + \dfrac{1000}{(1.06)^{10}} = 368.00 + 558.39 = 926.40 \). At 4 percent: \( 50 \times 8.1109 + 675.56 = 1081.11 \). \$926.40 and \$1,081.11

  8. An investor holds 20 bonds of \$1,000 face with a 3.5 percent coupon paid twice a year. Find each payment.
    Show the full solution

    Yearly interest per bond is \$35, so \$17.50 each six months. For 20 bonds, \( 20 \times 17.50 = 350 \). \$350 every six months

  9. In the worked example, the market rate rises from 4 percent to 5 percent. Find the percent change in the bond's price.
    Show the full solution

    The price falls from \$1,000 to \$956.71: \( \dfrac{956.71 - 1000}{1000} = -4.33 \) percent. An investor who must sell then takes the loss. Down 4.33 percent

  10. A student says bonds are safe, so their prices never change. Correct this.
    Show the full solution

    The payments are fixed, so held to maturity they are predictable. The market price changes whenever interest rates change: the example bond is worth \$956.71 at a 5 percent market rate and \$1,045.80 at 3 percent. A bond sold before maturity can earn a loss. Prices move with interest rates

Lesson 10.3 · Unit 10 · F-LE.2

A small percent that compounds against you

A mutual fund or index fund pools many investors' money to hold a basket of stocks or bonds. The fund charges a yearly fee, the expense ratio, as a percent of the money invested. A difference of one point sounds trivial, and over thirty years it consumes nearly a quarter of the final balance.

The method
  1. A fund holds many securities, so one company's failure does little harm.
  2. An index fund simply copies a market index and charges very little. An actively managed fund pays people to choose holdings, and charges more.
  3. The expense ratio is taken from the fund's assets each year. Fees in dollars are the ratio times the balance.
  4. The net return is the gross return minus the expense ratio. A 7 percent return with a 1 percent fee is 6 percent.
  5. The fee compounds. It lowers the growth rate, so the gap grows each year.
  6. A load is a sales charge taken from the amount invested, at purchase or sale.
  7. Compare funds by net growth: \( P(1 + r - f)^t \), where \( f \) is the expense ratio.
  8. Fees are the one part of the return that is certain. Returns vary from year to year, and fees do not.

Where students lose marks: treating a small percent as small money. A 1 percent fee on a \$50,000 balance is \$500 a year, twenty times the \$25 that a 0.05 percent fee costs, and it compounds over decades. Convert the percent to dollars and to a final balance.

Worked example

The problem. An investor puts \$10,000 into a fund earning 7 percent before fees for 30 years. Fund A charges 0.05 percent and Fund B charges 1.00 percent. (a) Find the net rates. (b) Find each final balance. (c) Find the cost of the higher fee. (d) Repeat with \$200 deposited monthly.

Step one: the net rates for (a). A: \( 7 - 0.05 = 6.95 \) percent. B: \( 7 - 1.00 = 6.00 \) percent.

Step two: Fund A for (b). \( 10000 \times (1.0695)^{30} = 75{,}062.61 \).

Step three: Fund B. \( 10000 \times (1.06)^{30} = 57{,}434.91 \).

Step four: the cost of the fee for (c). \( 75062.61 - 57434.91 = 17{,}627.70 \) dollars, which is 23.5 percent of Fund A's balance.

Step five: monthly deposits for (d). With \$200 a month compounded monthly at 6.95 percent, the annuity formula gives \$241,600.63. At 6.00 percent it gives \$200,903.01.

Step six: the difference. \( 241600.63 - 200903.01 = 40{,}697.63 \) dollars.

Step seven: the fees in year one. On \$50,000 the fees would be \( 0.0100 \times 50000 = 500 \) for B and \( 0.0005 \times 50000 = 25 \) for A.

Step eight: state the answers. Fund A grows to \$75,062.61 and Fund B to \$57,434.91, a difference of \$17,627.70 from one point of fees. With regular deposits the difference is \$40,697.63. Fees are the part of the return the investor controls most.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the yearly fee on \$12,000 at an expense ratio of 0.75 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.0075 \times 12000 = 90 \). \$90

  2. A fund earns 7.2 percent before fees and charges 0.85 percent. Find the net return.
    Show the full solution

    \( 7.20 - 0.85 = 6.35 \). 6.35 percent

  3. A 5 percent front load is charged on a \$5,000 purchase. Find the load and the amount actually invested.
    Show the full solution

    Load \( 0.05 \times 5000 = 250 \). Invested \( 5000 - 250 = 4750 \). \$250; \$4,750

  4. Find the fee on \$50,000 at 1.00 percent and at 0.05 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.01 \times 50000 = 500 \) and \( 0.0005 \times 50000 = 25 \). \$500 and \$25

  5. What is the ratio of the two fees in the last problem?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{500}{25} = 20 \). 20 times

  6. Find the value of \$10,000 after 20 years at net returns of 6.35 percent and 6.85 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 10000 \times (1.0635)^{20} = 34257.04 \) and \( 10000 \times (1.0685)^{20} = 37626.21 \). Half a point is worth \$3,369.17. \$34,257.04 and \$37,626.21

  7. Find the value of \$10,000 after 40 years at net returns of 6.00 and 6.95 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( 10000 \times (1.06)^{40} = 102857.18 \) and \( 10000 \times (1.0695)^{40} = 146970.97 \). The low-fee fund ends 43 percent higher. \$102,857.18 and \$146,970.97

  8. On \$25,000 for 25 years, an index fund nets 7.45 percent and an active fund nets 6.4 percent. Find the final balances.
    Show the full solution

    \( 25000 \times (1.0745)^{25} = 150695.58 \) and \( 25000 \times (1.064)^{25} = 117891.02 \). The difference is \$32,804.56. \$150,695.58 and \$117,891.02

  9. In the worked example, the monthly saver deposits \$200 for 30 years. Find the total deposited and the share of Fund A's balance that is growth.
    Show the full solution

    Deposited \( 200 \times 360 = 72000 \). Growth \( 241600.63 - 72000 = 169600.63 \), which is \( \dfrac{169600.63}{241600.63} = 70.2 \) percent of the balance. \$72,000; 70.2 percent

  10. A student says, "A 1 percent fee is only 1 percent of my money, so it barely matters." Use the worked example to correct this.
    Show the full solution

    The fee is taken every year from the whole balance, including the growth, so it lowers the growth rate from 6.95 to 6.00 percent for thirty years. The balance ends at \$57,434.91 instead of \$75,062.61, a loss of \$17,627.70, or 23.5 percent. A small percent of a large balance, repeated for decades, is a large amount. The fee costs 23.5 percent of the final balance

Lesson 10.4 · Unit 10 · S-ID.2, S-MD.2

Measuring how much an investment swings

Two investments can have similar average returns and very different paths. The standard deviation measures how widely the yearly returns scatter around their mean, and it is the usual measure of risk. Holding different assets together tends to cancel some of the swings, and the reduction is visible in a few lines of arithmetic.

The method
  1. The mean return is the sum of the yearly returns divided by the number of years.
  2. The deviation of a year is that year's return minus the mean.
  3. The sample standard deviation is \( s = \sqrt{\dfrac{\sum (x - \bar{x})^2}{n - 1}} \).
  4. A larger standard deviation means more risk: wider swings above and below the mean.
  5. A portfolio's return in a year is the weighted average of its holdings' returns that year.
  6. Diversifying combines assets that do not move together. When one falls, another may rise.
  7. The mix can have less risk than either asset alone, while its mean lies between theirs.
  8. Diversification reduces risk but cannot remove it, and in a broad market fall nearly everything drops.

Where students lose marks: dividing by \( n \) instead of \( n - 1 \) and skipping the mean. The deviations must be taken from the mean of the same data, squared, added, and divided by one less than the number of years, before the square root.

Worked example

The problem. Asset A returned 12, −5, 20, 8 and −2 percent over five years. Asset B returned −3, 10, −8, 15 and 6 percent. (a) Find each mean and standard deviation. (b) Find the returns of a 50/50 mix in each year. (c) Find the mix's mean and standard deviation. (d) Compare the worst years.

Step one: the means for (a). A: \( \dfrac{12 - 5 + 20 + 8 - 2}{5} = 6.6 \). B: \( \dfrac{-3 + 10 - 8 + 15 + 6}{5} = 4.0 \).

Step two: the standard deviation of A. The deviations are 5.4, −11.6, 13.4, 1.4 and −8.6. Their squares sum to 419.2, and \( s = \sqrt{\dfrac{419.2}{4}} = 10.24 \).

Step three: the standard deviation of B. The deviations are −7, 6, −12, 11 and 2. Their squares sum to 354, and \( s = \sqrt{\dfrac{354}{4}} = 9.41 \).

Step four: the mix by year for (b). Half of each: year 1 \( \dfrac{12 - 3}{2} = 4.5 \); year 2 \( \dfrac{-5 + 10}{2} = 2.5 \); year 3 6.0; year 4 11.5; year 5 2.0.

Step five: the mix's mean for (c). \( \dfrac{4.5 + 2.5 + 6.0 + 11.5 + 2.0}{5} = 5.3 \), between the two means, as it must be.

Step six: the mix's standard deviation. The deviations are −0.8, −2.8, 0.7, 6.2 and −3.3. Their squares sum to 58.3, and \( s = \sqrt{\dfrac{58.3}{4}} = 3.82 \).

Step seven: the worst years for (d). A's worst year was −5 percent, B's was −8 percent, and the mix's worst was +2.0 percent. The mix had no losing year in this sample.

Step eight: state the answers. A has mean 6.6 and standard deviation 10.24; B has 4.0 and 9.41; the mix has 5.3 and 3.82. The mix earned a return between the two and swung about a third as much, because the assets' bad years fell in different years.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the mean of yearly returns 6, −2, 9 and 3 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{6 - 2 + 9 + 3}{4} = 4 \). 4 percent

  2. Find the sample standard deviation of those returns.
    Show the full solution

    The deviations are 2, −6, 5 and −1. The squares sum to \( 4 + 36 + 25 + 1 = 66 \) and \( s = \sqrt{\dfrac{66}{3}} = \sqrt{22} = 4.69 \). 4.69 percent

  3. Find the range of returns of Asset A and of Asset B in the worked example.
    Show the full solution

    A: \( 20 - (-5) = 25 \). B: \( 15 - (-8) = 23 \). 25 and 23 points

  4. Find the return of a 70/30 mix of A and B in year 1.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.70 \times 12 + 0.30 \times (-3) = 8.4 - 0.9 = 7.5 \). 7.5 percent

  5. The 70/30 mix has yearly returns 7.5, −0.5, 11.6, 10.1 and 0.4. Find its mean.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{7.5 - 0.5 + 11.6 + 10.1 + 0.4}{5} = \dfrac{29.1}{5} = 5.82 \). 5.82 percent

  6. That mix has a standard deviation of 5.56. Compare it with A alone and the 50/50 mix.
    Show the full solution

    A alone is 10.24 and the 50/50 mix is 3.82, so the 70/30 mix is in between. More weight on the more variable asset brings more risk. Its mean, 5.82, is also between the 50/50 mix's 5.3 and A's 6.6. Between 3.82 and 10.24

  7. A portfolio is 60 percent stock and 40 percent bonds, worth \$10,000. In a bad year stocks fall 20 percent and bonds rise 4 percent. Find the dollar change and the percent.
    Show the full solution

    Stocks: \( 6000 \times (-0.20) = -1200 \). Bonds: \( 4000 \times 0.04 = 160 \). Net \( -1040 \), which is \( \dfrac{-1040}{10000} = -10.4 \) percent. A loss of \$1,040; 10.4 percent

  8. Find the loss of the same \$10,000 if it were all in stocks, and compare.
    Show the full solution

    \( 10000 \times (-0.20) = -2000 \), a 20 percent loss. The mix lost about half as much. A loss of \$2,000

  9. After a 30 percent loss, what gain is needed to recover?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1}{0.70} - 1 = 0.4286 \). 42.86 percent

  10. A student says that diversifying guarantees no losses. Correct the claim with the worked example.
    Show the full solution

    Diversification lowers the swings; it does not remove them. The 50/50 mix in the example had no losing year, but that is a five-year sample of two assets. In a year when all assets fall together, as in a broad market decline, a diversified portfolio falls too, as the 60/40 mix fell 10.4 percent. It reduces risk, not eliminates it

Lesson 10.5 · Unit 10 · F-LE.2

Why the average of the returns is not what you earned

An investment that gains 50 percent and then loses 50 percent has an average return of zero and leaves the investor with 25 percent less. Returns multiply, they do not add, so the average that describes the growth of money is the geometric mean, not the arithmetic one.

The method
  1. The arithmetic average is the sum of the yearly returns divided by the number of years.
  2. The growth factor of a year is 1 plus the return as a decimal.
  3. The factor over several years is the product of the yearly factors.
  4. The compound (geometric) average return is the constant yearly rate that gives the same final value: \( (\text{product})^{1/n} - 1 \).
  5. The geometric average is never larger than the arithmetic average, and is smaller whenever the returns vary.
  6. The more the returns swing, the bigger the gap. Volatility costs growth.
  7. A final balance uses the product, not the average: \( P \times \text{product} \).
  8. To compare investments, compare geometric averages, which are what the money actually earned.

Where students lose marks: multiplying the arithmetic average through the years. A fund advertised as averaging 6 percent does not turn \$10,000 into \( 10000 \times 1.06^5 = 13{,}382 \) if the returns varied; the product of the actual factors is what the balance follows.

Worked example

The problem. A fund returns +20, −10, +15, −25 and +30 percent in five years. (a) Find the arithmetic average. (b) Find the growth factor over the five years. (c) Find the geometric average. (d) Find the value of \$10,000, and compare with growth at the arithmetic average.

Step one: the arithmetic average for (a). \( \dfrac{20 - 10 + 15 - 25 + 30}{5} = \dfrac{30}{5} = 6 \) percent.

Step two: the yearly factors. 1.20, 0.90, 1.15, 0.75 and 1.30.

Step three: the product for (b). \( 1.20 \times 0.90 = 1.08 \); \( 1.08 \times 1.15 = 1.242 \); \( 1.242 \times 0.75 = 0.9315 \); \( 0.9315 \times 1.30 = 1.21095 \).

Step four: the geometric average for (c). \( (1.21095)^{1/5} - 1 = 0.0390 \), or 3.90 percent a year.

Step five: the value of \$10,000 for (d). \( 10000 \times 1.21095 = 12{,}109.50 \).

Step six: growth at the arithmetic average. \( 10000 \times (1.06)^5 = 13{,}382.26 \), which is \$1,272.76 more than the fund actually produced.

Step seven: interpret. The arithmetic average of 6 percent suggests a balance that the investor never had. The steady 3.90 percent produces exactly the actual \$12,109.50.

Step eight: state the answers. The arithmetic average is 6 percent and the compound average 3.90 percent; \$10,000 became \$12,109.50. The 2.10-point gap is the cost of the swings, and it is larger for more volatile funds.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A fund gains 10 percent and then loses 10 percent. Find the growth factor.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1.10 \times 0.90 = 0.99 \), a loss of 1 percent, although the average return is zero. 0.99

  2. Find the compound average of +20 and −20 percent.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.20 \times 0.80)^{1/2} - 1 = (0.96)^{1/2} - 1 = -0.0202 \). Negative 2.02 percent a year

  3. A balance of \$100 grows 30 percent and then falls 20 percent. Find the final value.
    Show the full solution

    \( 100 \times 1.30 \times 0.80 = 104 \). \$104

  4. Find the compound average yearly return for that \$100 over the two years.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.04)^{1/2} - 1 = 0.0198 \). 1.98 percent

  5. A fund falls 20 percent and then rises 25 percent. Find the growth factor.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.80 \times 1.25 = 1.00 \). The 25 percent gain exactly offsets the 20 percent loss, because it is taken from a smaller base. 1.00

  6. An investment of \$10,000 grows to \$15,000 in 6 years. Find the compound annual return.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.5)^{1/6} - 1 = 0.0699 \). 6.99 percent

  7. A fund returns +30, −20, +30 and −20 percent. Find the final value of \$10,000 and the compound average.
    Show the full solution

    \( 10000 \times 1.30 \times 0.80 \times 1.30 \times 0.80 = 10816 \). The compound average is \( (1.0816)^{1/4} - 1 = 0.0198 \), although the arithmetic average is 5 percent. \$10,816.00; 1.98 percent

  8. Find the value of \$10,000 growing steadily at 8 percent for four years, and compare with the last problem.
    Show the full solution

    \( 10000 \times (1.08)^4 = 13604.89 \). The volatile fund, with an arithmetic average of only 5 percent, ended \$2,788.89 below the steady 8 percent. \$13,604.89

  9. Which figure tells an investor what happened to the money, the arithmetic or the compound average, and why?
    Show the full solution

    The compound average, because each year's return applies to the balance the year before produced. Only the geometric mean reproduces the final value when compounded for the same number of years. The compound average

  10. A student says a fund that averaged 8 percent over four years turns \$10,000 into \$13,604.89. Explain why that may be wrong.
    Show the full solution

    Growing at 8 percent each year gives that figure, but an average of 8 percent does not mean every year was 8. If the returns swing, as +30, −20, +30 and −20 do, the balance follows the product of the factors. A variable path with a lower compound average ends lower, here at \$10,816. Only a steady 8 percent gives \$13,604.89

Lesson 10.6 · Unit 10 · N-Q.3

Two ratios for reading a stock quote

A stock quote lists a price, and two ratios put that price in context. The dividend yield says what share of the price comes back as cash, and the price-to-earnings ratio says how many dollars investors pay for each dollar the company earns. Both are simple quotients, and each is easily misread.

The method
  1. Earnings per share (EPS) is the company's profit divided by its number of shares.
  2. The price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) is the price divided by EPS. A P/E of 14 means the price is 14 times one year's earnings.
  3. The earnings yield is EPS divided by the price, the reciprocal of the P/E.
  4. The dividend yield is the annual dividend per share divided by the price.
  5. The payout ratio is the dividend divided by EPS: the share of profit paid out.
  6. The price for a given P/E is P/E times EPS. If EPS rises and P/E holds, the price rises in proportion.
  7. A high P/E means investors expect growth. A low P/E means low expectations or a problem.
  8. The yield moves opposite to the price. A fall in price raises the dividend yield, even with no change in the dividend.

Where students lose marks: treating a high dividend yield as good news. A yield can be high because the price has collapsed, with a dividend that may be cut. Check the payout ratio and the reason for the price.

Worked example

The problem. A stock sells for \$84. Its earnings per share are \$6 and it pays a dividend of \$2.10. (a) Find the P/E. (b) Find the earnings yield. (c) Find the dividend yield and the payout ratio. (d) Find the price if EPS rises to \$7 at the same P/E, and the dividend yield if the price falls to \$70.

Step one: the P/E for (a). \( \dfrac{84}{6} = 14 \).

Step two: the earnings yield for (b). \( \dfrac{6}{84} \times 100 = 7.14 \) percent, which is \( \dfrac{1}{14} \).

Step three: the dividend yield for (c). \( \dfrac{2.10}{84} \times 100 = 2.50 \) percent.

Step four: the payout ratio. \( \dfrac{2.10}{6} \times 100 = 35 \) percent. The company keeps 65 percent of its profit to grow the business.

Step five: the new price for (d). At a P/E of 14 and EPS of \$7: \( 14 \times 7 = 98 \) dollars, a rise of \( \dfrac{98 - 84}{84} = 16.67 \) percent.

Step six: the yield at \$70. \( \dfrac{2.10}{70} \times 100 = 3.00 \) percent, higher than before although the dividend did not change.

Step seven: the total expected return idea. An investor might expect the dividend yield of 2.5 percent plus growth of earnings of perhaps 6 percent, about 8.5 percent, if the P/E holds.

Step eight: state the answers. The P/E is 14, the earnings yield 7.14 percent, the dividend yield 2.50 percent, the payout ratio 35 percent. A rise in EPS to \$7 would support a price of \$98, and a fall to \$70 would lift the yield to 3.00 percent.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A stock at \$60 pays \$1.50 a year. Find the dividend yield.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1.50}{60} \times 100 = 2.5 \). 2.5 percent

  2. A stock sells for \$45 with EPS of \$3. Find the P/E.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{45}{3} = 15 \). 15

  3. A stock has EPS of \$4.25 and a P/E of 18. Find the price.
    Show the full solution

    \( 18 \times 4.25 = 76.50 \). \$76.50

  4. A company earns \$3.60 a share and pays \$0.90. Find the payout ratio.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{0.90}{3.60} \times 100 = 25 \). 25 percent

  5. An investor owns 200 shares paying \$2.10 each. Find the dividend income.
    Show the full solution

    \( 200 \times 2.10 = 420 \). \$420

  6. Find the earnings yield of a stock with a P/E of 25.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1}{25} = 0.04 \). 4 percent

  7. In the worked example, EPS rises to \$7 at a P/E of 14. Find the new price and the percent gain.
    Show the full solution

    \( 14 \times 7 = 98 \), and \( \dfrac{98 - 84}{84} \times 100 = 16.67 \). \$98; 16.67 percent

  8. The price falls to \$70 with the dividend unchanged at \$2.10. Find the dividend yield.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{2.10}{70} \times 100 = 3.00 \). 3.00 percent

  9. A dividend yield of 2.5 percent is combined with earnings growth of 6 percent a year. Find the approximate return if the P/E does not change.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2.5 + 6 = 8.5 \) percent. With the P/E constant, the price grows with earnings, and the dividend is paid on top. About 8.5 percent

  10. A student says a stock with a 9 percent dividend yield is always a better buy than one with a 2.5 percent yield. Explain the flaw.
    Show the full solution

    The yield rises when the price falls. A stock that has lost half its price with an unchanged dividend shows a yield twice as high, and it may reflect a troubled company about to cut the dividend. A payout ratio above 100 percent means the dividend exceeds profit and cannot be kept up. The yield must be read with the payout ratio and the reason for the price. A high yield can signal trouble

Lesson 10.7 · Unit 10 · N-Q.3

The arithmetic that exposes a scam

Investment fraud depends on promises that sound modest and cannot be kept. Most can be defeated by two calculations: what the promised rate is over a year, and what happens when a scheme must keep recruiting. The same exponential growth that builds savings shows why impossible returns are impossible.

The method
  1. Convert the promised rate to a year. A rate of 10 percent a month compounds to \( (1.10)^{12} - 1 = 213.8 \) percent a year.
  2. Compare it with the market. Stocks have averaged perhaps 7 percent a year over long periods. A promise many times larger is a warning.
  3. Guaranteed high returns do not exist. Higher expected return always carries higher risk.
  4. A Ponzi scheme pays old investors with new investors' money. It needs a constant inflow and collapses when the inflow slows.
  5. A pyramid scheme pays for recruiting. If each member must recruit \( r \) others, level \( n \) needs \( r^n \) people.
  6. Exponential growth runs out of people quickly. With \( r = 6 \), level 13 needs more than 13 billion, more than everyone on Earth.
  7. Check the red flags: pressure to act now, secrecy, unregistered sellers, vague explanations of where the profit comes from, and trouble withdrawing money.
  8. Verify the seller and the product independently, never through contacts the seller supplies.

Where students lose marks: the period. A promise of 10 percent a month is not 10 percent. Leaving it unconverted hides that it means more than tripling money each year. Always convert a rate to a year before judging it.

Worked example

The problem. A scheme promises 10 percent a month, compounded. (a) Find the yearly growth and the equivalent annual rate. (b) Find what \$5,000 becomes in 12 months and in 60 months. (c) Find the doubling time. (d) A scheme pays recruits for bringing in 6 new members each; find the members at level 10 and level 13.

Step one: the yearly factor for (a). \( (1.10)^{12} = 3.1384 \), so the annual rate is 213.84 percent.

Step two: 12 months for (b). \( 5000 \times (1.10)^{12} = 15{,}692.14 \).

Step three: 60 months. \( 5000 \times (1.10)^{60} = 1{,}522{,}408.20 \) dollars from \$5,000, more than 300 times.

Step four: the doubling time for (c). \( \dfrac{\ln 2}{\ln 1.10} = 7.27 \) months. By the rule of 72, \( 72 \div 10 = 7.2 \) months.

Step five: the pyramid at level 10 for (d). \( 6^{10} = 60{,}466{,}176 \) people, about the population of a large country.

Step six: level 13. \( 6^{13} = 13{,}060{,}694{,}016 \), more than the number of people alive.

Step seven: what the numbers show. No legitimate investment returns 213.8 percent a year for years, and no recruiting scheme can continue past a dozen levels. Somebody who joins late loses, and there are always more late joiners than early ones.

Step eight: state the answers. The promise is 213.84 percent a year; \$5,000 would be \$15,692.14 in a year and over \$1.5 million in five; money would double every 7.27 months; and a pyramid of 6 runs out of people by level 13. Impossible arithmetic is the clearest evidence of fraud.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A scheme promises 1 percent a week, compounded. Find the yearly rate.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.01)^{52} - 1 = 0.6777 \). 67.77 percent a year

  2. Another promises 2 percent a week. Find what \$10,000 becomes in one year.
    Show the full solution

    \( 10000 \times (1.02)^{52} = 28003.28 \). \$28,003.28

  3. Find the number of people at level 10 of a pyramid in which each member recruits 6 others.
    Show the full solution

    \( 6^{10} = 60466176 \). 60,466,176

  4. A scheme promises 5 percent a month. Find the yearly growth factor and the annual rate.
    Show the full solution

    \( (1.05)^{12} = 1.7959 \), so the annual rate is 79.59 percent. 1.7959; 79.59 percent

  5. Use the rule of 72 to estimate how long money takes to double at 10 percent a month.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{72}{10} = 7.2 \) months. About 7.2 months

  6. Compare \$10,000 over 10 years at a guaranteed 12 percent with 7 percent.
    Show the full solution

    At 12 percent: \( 10000 \times (1.12)^{10} = 31058.48 \). At 7 percent: \( 10000 \times (1.07)^{10} = 19671.51 \). A guarantee of 12 percent would beat the long-run market return by a wide margin, which no honest seller can guarantee. \$31,058.48 against \$19,671.51

  7. A scheme has 1,000 investors who each put in \$5,000 and are promised 10 percent a month. Find the total invested and the monthly payout owed.
    Show the full solution

    Invested \( 1000 \times 5000 = 5{,}000{,}000 \). Payout \( 0.10 \times 5{,}000{,}000 = 500{,}000 \) a month. \$5,000,000; \$500,000 a month

  8. If the scheme earns nothing, how much new money must arrive each month just to pay the promised returns, and for how many months does the original \$5,000,000 last if no money comes in?
    Show the full solution

    New money of \$500,000 a month must arrive. With no inflow, the original money would last \( \dfrac{5000000}{500000} = 10 \) months if the promoters paid returns from it, with nothing left to return to investors. \$500,000 a month; 10 months

  9. Name four warning signs of an investment fraud.
    Show the full solution

    Any four of: guaranteed or unusually high returns; pressure to decide immediately; secrecy or a vague explanation of how profits arise; an unregistered seller; trouble withdrawing money; payment for recruiting others. See the list

  10. A student says, "My statement shows gains every month, so the scheme must be real." Explain what is wrong.
    Show the full solution

    A statement is whatever the operator prints. In a Ponzi scheme the gains are invented, and the money for withdrawals comes from new deposits. The arithmetic test is stronger than the statement: a promised 10 percent a month is 213.84 percent a year, which cannot be earned legitimately, so the statement proves nothing. Statements can be fabricated; impossible arithmetic cannot

Unit 10 review · 10 problems · all lessons

Unit 10 review: Investing

These are shuffled across all seven lessons. A percent gain and a percent loss are taken of different amounts.

  1. A buyer purchases 75 shares at \$42.80 and pays a \$10 commission, later sells at \$49.60 with a \$10 commission, and received \$1.30 a share in dividends. Find the total return in dollars and as a percent of cost.
    Show the full solution

    Cost \( 75(42.80) + 10 = \$3{,}220 \). Proceeds \( 75(49.60) - 10 = \$3{,}710 \). Dividends \( 75(1.30) = \$97.50 \). Gain \( 3{,}710.00 + 97.50 - 3{,}220.00 = 587.50 \). Percent \( \dfrac{587.50}{3{,}220.00} \). \$587.50, about 18.2%

  2. A bond with a \$1,000 face value pays a 4.5% coupon a year and trades at \$950. Find the yearly interest and the current yield.
    Show the full solution

    Interest \( 0.045(1000) = \$45 \). Current yield uses the price paid: \( \dfrac{45}{950} \). \$45 a year; yield about 4.74%

  3. \$25,000 is invested for 30 years. Before fees the market returns 7% a year. Fund A charges 0.10% a year and fund B charges 1.10%, taken from the return. Find the final value in each.
    Show the full solution

    A nets 6.9%: \( 25000(1.069)^{30} = 25000(7.401695) = 185{,}042.36 \). B nets 5.9%: \( 25000(1.059)^{30} = 25000(5.583144) = 139{,}578.59 \). A: \$185,042.36; B: \$139,578.59; the extra 1% costs \$45,463.77

  4. Five yearly returns are 12%, -8%, 15%, 6% and 10%. Find the mean and the range, and say what the range measures.
    Show the full solution

    Sum \( 12 - 8 + 15 + 6 + 10 = 35 \), mean \( 35 \div 5 = 7 \). Range \( 15 - (-8) = 23 \). The range shows how widely the returns swing. mean 7%; range 23 percentage points, a measure of risk

  5. An investment of \$1,000 gains 50% in year one and loses 50% in year two. Find the ending value, the average of the two returns, and the compound annual return.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1000(1.50) = \$1{,}500 \), then \( 1500(0.50) = \$750 \). Average \( \dfrac{50 + (-50)}{2} = 0\% \). Compound rate \( \sqrt{0.75} - 1 = -0.1340 \). \$750; average 0%; compound about -13.4% a year

  6. A stock trades at \$56.00, pays \$1.68 a year in dividends and earns \$3.50 a share. Find the dividend yield and the price to earnings ratio.
    Show the full solution

    Yield \( \dfrac{1.68}{56.00} = 0.03 \). P/E \( \dfrac{56.00}{3.50} = 16 \). yield 3%; P/E 16

  7. A scheme promises a 2% return every week. Find what \$5,000 would become in 52 weeks if true, and why that is a warning sign.
    Show the full solution

    \( 5000(1.02)^{52} = 5000(2.800328) \). That is growth of about 180% a year, far beyond any sound investment. \$14,001.64; returns this high and this steady signal fraud

  8. A fund earns 7.2% a year while prices rise 3%. Find the real rate of return.
    Show the full solution

    Real growth \( \dfrac{1.072}{1.03} - 1 = 0.04078 \). Subtracting \( 7.2 - 3 = 4.2 \) is only an approximation. about 4.08%

  9. An investor puts \$300 a month into a fund priced at \$20, \$25, \$16 and \$20 in four months. Find the shares bought, the average cost per share, and the average of the four prices.
    Show the full solution

    Shares \( 15 + 12 + 18.75 + 15 = 60.75 \). Cost per share \( \dfrac{1200}{60.75} = 19.7531 \). Average of prices \( \dfrac{81}{4} = 20.25 \). The fixed sum buys more shares when the price is low. 60.75 shares; \$19.75 a share against an average price of \$20.25

  10. A student says a fund that falls 40% and then rises 40% is back where it started. Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1000(0.60) = \$600 \), then \( 600(1.40) = \$840 \). The 40% gain is taken of the smaller amount. A gain of \( \dfrac{400}{600} = 66.7\% \) is needed to recover. It ends at \$840; a 66.7% gain is needed

Lesson 11.1 · Unit 11 · N-Q.1

A snapshot of where you stand

Income tells you what comes in, and net worth tells you what has been kept. It is the value of everything you own minus everything you owe on one date, and it is the single number that shows whether the other parts of a financial plan are working. Tracking it once a year is enough to see the direction.

The method
  1. Assets are things of value that you own: cash, accounts, investments, a car, a home.
  2. Liabilities are debts you owe: credit cards, car loans, student loans, a mortgage.
  3. Net worth is assets minus liabilities. It can be negative.
  4. Value assets at what they would sell for now, not at what was paid. A car is worth its depreciated value.
  5. Liquid assets can be turned into cash quickly: checking, savings.
  6. The number of months of expenses covered is liquid assets divided by monthly essential expenses.
  7. The debt-to-asset ratio is liabilities divided by assets, as a percent.
  8. Net worth changes by savings and by changes in value. Paying a debt from savings leaves it unchanged; spending on something that does not last lowers it.

Where students lose marks: the direction of a debt payment. Paying off \$3,000 of a loan from savings lowers an asset and a liability by the same amount, so net worth does not change. Net worth rises only when income exceeds spending or when an asset's value grows.

Worked example

The problem. A person has \$2,300 in checking, \$6,800 in savings, \$18,500 in a retirement account and a car worth \$12,000. She owes \$1,200 on a card, \$9,400 on a car loan and \$12,200 in student loans. Her essential expenses are \$1,985 a month. (a) Find net worth. (b) Find the debt-to-asset ratio. (c) Find how many months her liquid assets cover. (d) Find net worth a year later after she saves \$4,000, pays down \$3,000 of debt from her income, and the car loses \$2,000 of value.

Step one: total assets. \( 2300 + 6800 + 18500 + 12000 = 39600 \).

Step two: total liabilities. \( 1200 + 9400 + 12200 = 22800 \).

Step three: net worth for (a). \( 39600 - 22800 = 16800 \) dollars.

Step four: the ratio for (b). \( \dfrac{22800}{39600} \times 100 = 57.58 \) percent.

Step five: the liquid assets for (c). Checking plus savings is \( 2300 + 6800 = 9100 \), and \( \dfrac{9100}{1985} = 4.58 \) months of essential expenses.

Step six: the new assets for (d). The \$4,000 saved and the \$3,000 paid to debt both come from income. Assets rise by \$4,000 and fall by \$2,000 for the car: \$41,600.

Step seven: the new liabilities. \( 22800 - 3000 = 19800 \). Net worth is \( 41600 - 19800 = 21800 \) dollars.

Step eight: state the answers. Net worth is \$16,800; debts are 57.6 percent of assets; liquid assets cover 4.6 months. A year later net worth is \$21,800, up \$5,000 or 29.8 percent, which is the \$7,000 of income put to work minus the \$2,000 the car lost.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Assets total \$25,000 and liabilities total \$31,000. Find net worth.
    Show the full solution

    \( 25000 - 31000 = -6000 \). Net worth can be negative, as it often is for a new graduate with student loans. Negative \$6,000

  2. Find total assets: \$1,500 checking, \$4,200 savings, \$9,800 investments and a \$15,000 car.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1500 + 4200 + 9800 + 15000 = 30500 \). \$30,500

  3. Find total liabilities: a \$800 card, a \$6,000 car loan and \$14,500 of student loans.
    Show the full solution

    \( 800 + 6000 + 14500 = 21300 \). \$21,300

  4. Find net worth for the last two problems.
    Show the full solution

    \( 30500 - 21300 = 9200 \). \$9,200

  5. Net worth rises from \$16,800 by \$5,000. Find the new value and the percent change.
    Show the full solution

    \( 16800 + 5000 = 21800 \), and \( \dfrac{5000}{16800} \times 100 = 29.76 \). \$21,800; 29.76 percent

  6. Liquid assets are \$9,100 and monthly essential expenses are \$2,400. Find the months covered.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{9100}{2400} = 3.79 \). 3.79 months

  7. A car loses \$2,000 in value. What happens to net worth?
    Show the full solution

    An asset falls by \$2,000 and nothing else changes, so net worth falls by \$2,000. It falls by \$2,000

  8. A person pays \$3,000 of a loan out of savings. What happens to net worth?
    Show the full solution

    Assets fall by \$3,000 (the savings) and liabilities fall by \$3,000 (the loan). Net worth is unchanged, although the person's interest costs fall. No change

  9. A person borrows \$10,000 and spends it on a vacation. Find the change in net worth.
    Show the full solution

    The loan adds a \$10,000 liability, and the vacation leaves no asset behind. Net worth falls by \$10,000. Down \$10,000

  10. A student says that borrowing \$10,000 to buy a car worth \$10,000 makes him \$10,000 richer because he now owns a car. Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    The car adds \$10,000 to assets and the loan adds \$10,000 to liabilities, so net worth is unchanged. It then falls as the car depreciates, for example by 20 percent, or \$2,000, in the first year. Net worth does not change at the moment of purchase

Lesson 11.2 · Unit 11 · N-Q.1

The share of each paycheck that is kept

Net worth is a snapshot; cash flow is the movie. A cash flow statement records what came in and what went out over a period, and its bottom line, the savings rate, predicts net worth years ahead. A few points of savings rate, compounded, matter more than almost any other decision in the plan.

The method
  1. Inflow is all money received in the period; outflow is all money spent.
  2. Net cash flow is inflow minus outflow. Positive means money is left over.
  3. Savings count as outflow from spending but stay in your hands. To avoid confusion, treat savings as a separate line.
  4. The savings rate is saved money divided by income, times 100. State which income: net or gross.
  5. Savings of 15 to 20 percent of income is a common target for working toward retirement.
  6. Project with the future value formula. A monthly saving at the rate \( r \) for \( t \) years grows as in Lesson 5.1.
  7. The debt-to-income ratio is monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income.
  8. A raise raises the savings rate only if spending does not rise with it.

Where students lose marks: the wrong base. A savings rate is a share of income, not of spending. Saving \$300 of \$3,120 is 9.62 percent; dividing by the \$2,550 of spending instead gives 11.76 percent, which flatters the result.

Worked example

The problem. A worker has net income of \$3,120 a month, spends \$2,550 on needs and wants, and so could save \$570. She currently saves \$300. (a) Find her current savings rate and the rate if she saves all \$570. (b) Find 15 and 20 percent of net income. (c) Find the value of saving \$300 and \$468 a month for 35 years at 7 percent compounded monthly. (d) Find the difference.

Step one: the current rate for (a). \( \dfrac{300}{3120} \times 100 = 9.62 \) percent.

Step two: the full surplus. \( \dfrac{570}{3120} \times 100 = 18.27 \) percent.

Step three: the targets for (b). \( 0.15 \times 3120 = 468 \) and \( 0.20 \times 3120 = 624 \) dollars.

Step four: \$300 for 35 years for (c). \( 300 \times \dfrac{(1.005833)^{420} - 1}{0.005833} = 300 \times 1801.0546 = 540{,}316.38 \).

Step five: \$468 for 35 years. \( 468 \times 1801.0546 = 842{,}893.55 \).

Step six: the difference for (d). \( 842893.55 - 540316.38 = 302{,}577.17 \) dollars.

Step seven: the cost of the difference. The extra saving is \( 468 - 300 = 168 \) dollars a month, or \( 168 \times 420 = 70560 \) dollars in all. It produces \$302,577.17, about 4.3 times what it cost.

Step eight: state the answers. Her rate is 9.62 percent now and could be 18.27 percent; the targets are \$468 and \$624; 35 years of \$300 grows to \$540,316.38 and of \$468 to \$842,893.55. Raising the rate by about 5 points adds over \$300,000 at retirement.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Inflow is \$2,800 and outflow is \$2,650. Find the net cash flow.
    Show the full solution

    \( 2800 - 2650 = 150 \). \$150

  2. Find the savings rate if that \$150 is saved.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{150}{2800} \times 100 = 5.36 \). 5.36 percent

  3. Find 10 percent of a \$3,120 net income.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.10 \times 3120 = 312 \). \$312

  4. Find the yearly saving of 20 percent of a \$2,600 net monthly income.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.20 \times 2600 \times 12 = 6240 \). \$6,240

  5. A raise adds \$200 a month to net pay, and spending does not change. The surplus was \$150. Find the new surplus.
    Show the full solution

    \( 150 + 200 = 350 \). \$350

  6. Saving \$4,680 a year from a gross income of \$52,000: find the savings rate on gross income.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{4680}{52000} \times 100 = 9.0 \). 9.0 percent

  7. A worker saves all of a \$570 surplus from net income of \$3,120. Find the savings rate.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{570}{3120} \times 100 = 18.27 \). 18.27 percent

  8. How many months does it take to save \$5,955 at \$570 a month?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{5955}{570} = 10.45 \), so 11 months. 11 months

  9. Monthly debt payments are \$600 and gross monthly income is \$4,800. Find the debt-to-income ratio.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{600}{4800} \times 100 = 12.5 \). 12.5 percent

  10. A student computes a savings rate of \$300 against \$2,550 of spending, getting 11.76 percent. Find the error and the correct rate on \$3,120 of income.
    Show the full solution

    The rate is saving divided by income, not by spending. Dividing by spending makes the ratio look larger. The correct rate is \( \dfrac{300}{3120} \times 100 = 9.62 \) percent. 9.62 percent

Lesson 11.3 · Unit 11 · N-Q.1-3

The arithmetic of shelf prices

Everyday spending runs through a small set of percent operations: comparing price per unit, stacking discounts, and marking prices up and down. The rules are the base rules from Lesson 1.5, and they decide whether a sale is really a sale.

The method
  1. The unit price is price divided by quantity, in the same unit for every item compared.
  2. The lower unit price is the better value, provided you will use the quantity.
  3. A discount of \( d \) percent multiplies the price by \( 1 - d \).
  4. Successive discounts multiply. 25 percent off and then 10 percent off leaves \( 0.75 \times 0.90 = 0.675 \) of the price, a total of 32.5 percent off, not 35.
  5. A markup of \( m \) percent on cost multiplies the cost by \( 1 + m \).
  6. A markdown is taken from the current price, not from the cost. A 40 percent markdown of a price that was marked up 40 percent leaves less than the cost.
  7. Sales tax is added after discounts, on the discounted price.
  8. A dollar coupon and a percent discount do not commute. Apply the percent first to make the most of the coupon only when the coupon is a percent; with a dollar coupon, take the percent first.

Where students lose marks: adding the discounts. Twenty percent off followed by 15 percent off is 32 percent off in total, because the second is taken from the reduced price. Multiply the factors.

Worked example

The problem. (a) An 18-ounce jar costs \$3.42 and a 32-ounce jar \$5.76. Find the unit prices. (b) A store takes 25 percent off, then an extra 10 percent off. Find the total discount. (c) A store marks up a \$50 item by 40 percent. Find the price. (d) It then takes 40 percent off. Find the new price, and the markdown that would return it to cost.

Step one: the unit prices for (a). The 18-ounce jar is \( \dfrac{3.42}{18} = 0.19 \) dollars an ounce. The 32-ounce jar is \( \dfrac{5.76}{32} = 0.18 \).

Step two: compare. The larger jar costs a cent less per ounce, about 5.3 percent less, a better value if the food will be used before it spoils.

Step three: the stacked discount for (b). \( 0.75 \times 0.90 = 0.675 \), so the price is 67.5 percent of the original and the discount is 32.5 percent.

Step four: check with a price. On \$120: \( 120 \times 0.75 = 90 \), then \( 90 \times 0.90 = 81 \). The total reduction is \$39, which is 32.5 percent of \$120.

Step five: the markup for (c). \( 50 \times 1.40 = 70 \) dollars.

Step six: the markdown for (d). \( 70 \times 0.60 = 42 \) dollars, which is below the \$50 cost.

Step seven: the markdown that returns to cost. \( \dfrac{70 - 50}{70} \times 100 = 28.57 \) percent. The markdown is a percent of the higher price, so it is smaller than the 40 percent markup.

Step eight: state the answers. The unit prices are \$0.19 and \$0.18 an ounce; the stacked discount is 32.5 percent; the marked-up price is \$70; a 40 percent markdown brings it to \$42; a 28.57 percent markdown would return it to cost. A percent off and a percent on never cancel, because they have different bases.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find the price of one item when 12 cost \$4.20.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{4.20}{12} = 0.35 \). \$0.35

  2. A 6-pack costs \$7.50 and a 4-pack \$5.40. Find the price per item of each and choose.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{7.50}{6} = 1.25 \) and \( \dfrac{5.40}{4} = 1.35 \). The 6-pack is cheaper per item. \$1.25 and \$1.35; the 6-pack

  3. Find the price of an \$85 item after a 30 percent discount.
    Show the full solution

    \( 85 \times 0.70 = 59.50 \). \$59.50

  4. Find the price after a 60 percent markup on a \$35 cost.
    Show the full solution

    \( 35 \times 1.60 = 56 \). \$56.00

  5. Find the markup percent on a \$40 cost sold for \$58.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{58 - 40}{40} \times 100 = 45 \). 45 percent

  6. A \$120 coat is marked 20 percent off, then 15 percent off the new price. Find the price and the total discount.
    Show the full solution

    \( 120 \times 0.80 \times 0.85 = 81.60 \). The factor is 0.68, a total discount of 32 percent. \$81.60; 32 percent

  7. A \$130 jacket is 25 percent off and the sales tax is 8.25 percent. Find the final price.
    Show the full solution

    The sale price is \( 130 \times 0.75 = 97.50 \). With tax, \( 97.50 \times 1.0825 = 105.54 \). \$105.54

  8. A 3-pound bag of rice costs \$7.47 and a 1-pound bag \$2.69. Find the price per pound of each.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{7.47}{3} = 2.49 \) and the small bag is \$2.69. The large bag saves \$0.20 a pound, or about 7.4 percent. \$2.49 and \$2.69

  9. On an \$80 item, compare taking 20 percent off and then a \$10 coupon with taking the \$10 first and then 20 percent off.
    Show the full solution

    Percent first: \( 80 \times 0.80 - 10 = 54 \). Coupon first: \( (80 - 10) \times 0.80 = 56 \). Taking the percent first saves \$2 more, because the dollar coupon keeps its full value. \$54 and \$56

  10. A student says that 20 percent off and then 15 percent off is 35 percent off, so a \$120 coat costs \$78. Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    The second discount is taken from the reduced price of \$96, not from \$120. The price is \( 96 \times 0.85 = 81.60 \), a total discount of 32 percent. The student's \$78 is \$3.60 too low. \$81.60

Lesson 11.4 · Unit 11 · N-Q.3

What a salary is worth somewhere else

The same salary buys very different lives in different places, because rent, food and services cost different amounts. A cost-of-living index summarizes the difference in one number, and it turns a job offer in another city into a fair comparison.

The method
  1. A cost-of-living index sets a base place at 100. A place at 128 costs 28 percent more to live in.
  2. The equivalent salary in a new place is the old salary times the ratio of the new index to the old.
  3. To compare two offers, divide each salary by its index and compare the results, in base-place dollars.
  4. The index averages many costs. Housing is the largest, so a person's own mix of costs matters.
  5. A percent difference in a cost is the difference divided by the original cost.
  6. A move has one-time costs: transport, deposits, and a gap in income.
  7. The payback time is the one-time cost divided by the monthly saving.
  8. Include taxes. Income and sales taxes differ by place, and change the take-home pay on top of the index.

Where students lose marks: comparing salaries directly. An offer of \$66,000 in a place with an index of 120 is worth \$55,000 in a base place at 100. A student who compares \$66,000 with \$58,000 has compared dollars that buy different amounts.

Worked example

The problem. A worker earns \$52,000 in a city with an index of 100 and considers a city with an index of 128. (a) Find the equivalent salary and the raise needed. (b) Another offer pays \$66,000 in a city with an index of 120; find its value in base-city dollars. (c) A move costs \$3,500 and rent would fall \$250 a month in a third city; find the payback time. (d) Find the first-year gain from a \$400 monthly rent saving after the \$3,500 move.

Step one: the equivalent salary for (a). \( 52000 \times \dfrac{128}{100} = 66560 \) dollars.

Step two: the raise needed. \( 66560 - 52000 = 14560 \), or 28 percent.

Step three: the second offer for (b). \( \dfrac{66000}{1.20} = 55000 \) in base-city dollars.

Step four: compare. The \$66,000 offer is worth \$55,000, which is \$3,000 more than the base salary of \$52,000 and \$11,560 less than the \$66,560 the first city would require.

Step five: the payback for (c). \( \dfrac{3500}{250} = 14 \) months.

Step six: interpret. If the worker stays more than 14 months, the lower rent repays the move. Staying two years gains \( 24 \times 250 - 3500 = 2500 \) dollars.

Step seven: the rent saving for (d). A \$400 monthly saving is \( 400 \times 12 = 4800 \) in a year, and \( 4800 - 3500 = 1300 \) dollars ahead after the move.

Step eight: state the answers. The \$52,000 salary needs \$66,560 in the costlier city; the \$66,000 offer is worth \$55,000 in base dollars; a \$250 rent saving repays a \$3,500 move in 14 months; a \$400 saving leaves \$1,300 ahead in the first year.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A worker earns \$60,000 where the index is 100. What salary matches it where the index is 115?
    Show the full solution

    \( 60000 \times 1.15 = 69000 \). \$69,000

  2. Rent rises from \$1,400 to \$1,900 in a new city. Find the percent increase.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1900 - 1400}{1400} \times 100 = 35.71 \). 35.71 percent

  3. A \$70,000 salary moves to a place with an index of 90 from 100. What is the equivalent salary?
    Show the full solution

    \( 70000 \times 0.90 = 63000 \). The worker could take a \$7,000 pay cut and keep the same standard of living. \$63,000

  4. A move costs \$3,500 and saves \$250 a month. Find the payback time.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{3500}{250} = 14 \). 14 months

  5. Offers are \$58,000 at index 100 and \$66,000 at index 120. Compare them in base dollars.
    Show the full solution

    The second is worth \( \dfrac{66000}{1.20} = 55000 \), which is \$3,000 less than \$58,000. The lower salary is the better offer. \$58,000 beats \$55,000

  6. Rent of \$1,650 is what share of a \$5,500 gross monthly income?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1650}{5500} \times 100 = 30 \). 30 percent

  7. A rent saving of \$400 a month is worth how much over a year?
    Show the full solution

    \( 400 \times 12 = 4800 \). \$4,800

  8. After a \$3,500 move cost, find the first-year gain from a \$400 monthly rent saving.
    Show the full solution

    \( 4800 - 3500 = 1300 \). \$1,300

  9. A 3.1 percent cost-of-living adjustment is applied to a \$54,000 salary. Find the new salary.
    Show the full solution

    \( 54000 \times 1.031 = 55674 \). \$55,674

  10. A student says, "\$66,000 is more than \$58,000, so the \$66,000 job pays more." Correct this with an index of 120 against 100.
    Show the full solution

    The two salaries buy different amounts. Adjusting the higher one for the index gives \( \dfrac{66000}{1.20} = 55000 \), which is less than \$58,000. The job with the lower headline salary leaves more to spend. The \$58,000 job is worth more

Lesson 11.5 · Unit 11 · F-LE.2

Three ways to pay for the same thing

Any purchase that cannot be paid from this month's income has three routes: save first, borrow on a card, or borrow with a loan or promotion. Each costs a different amount, and the cheapest is rarely the fastest. The comparison uses tools from every earlier unit.

The method
  1. Saving first uses the deposit formula of Lesson 5.3. Interest earned reduces the cost.
  2. A card charges its APR on the balance. Use the payment formula of Lesson 7.1 with the monthly rate.
  3. An installment loan has a lower rate than a card. Use the same payment formula.
  4. A promotional zero-rate plan charges no interest but may charge a fee and a large penalty if the balance is not paid in time.
  5. The cost of each route is the interest and fees paid, minus interest earned for saving.
  6. Saving costs time, not money: the purchase is delayed.
  7. Compare the routes over the same period, here 12 months.
  8. Consider need. A replacement for a broken necessity may not be able to wait for saving.

Where students lose marks: comparing monthly payments. The monthly payment of \$206.00 on a promotional plan is less than the card's \$228.09, but the real comparison is the total cost beyond the \$2,400 price: \$72 against \$337.08.

Worked example

The problem. A \$2,400 laptop can be paid for over 12 months in four ways: saving first in an account at 4.5 percent compounded monthly, a card at 24.99 percent, a loan at 9.9 percent, or a zero-rate plan with a 3 percent fee. Find the monthly amount and the cost of each, and choose.

Step one: saving first. The deposit that reaches \$2,400 in 12 months is \( D = \dfrac{2400 \times 0.00375}{(1.00375)^{12} - 1} = 195.91 \).

Step two: the cost of saving. Deposits total \( 195.91 \times 12 = 2350.92 \), so interest of \( 2400 - 2350.92 = 49.08 \) pays part of the price. The cost is \$49.08 less than the price, and the purchase is a year away.

Step three: the card. At \( i = \dfrac{0.2499}{12} = 0.020825 \), the payment is \( 2400 \times \dfrac{0.020825}{1 - (1.020825)^{-12}} = 228.09 \) dollars.

Step four: the cost of the card. Total paid \( 228.09 \times 12 = 2737.08 \), so the interest is \$337.08.

Step five: the loan. At \( i = 0.00825 \) the payment is \$210.89, total \$2,530.68, and the interest \$130.68.

Step six: the zero-rate plan. The fee is \( 0.03 \times 2400 = 72 \), so the payment is \( \dfrac{2400 + 72}{12} = 206.00 \) and the cost is \$72.

Step seven: compare. Net cost beyond the price: saving first \( -49.08 \); zero-rate \$72.00; loan \$130.68; card \$337.08. The card costs \$386.16 more than saving.

Step eight: state the answers. Saving first is cheapest and slowest (\$195.91 a month, earning \$49.08). The zero-rate plan is cheapest if the item is needed now and the plan is paid on time. The card is the worst, at \$337.08. The ranking is the same as the ranking of interest rates in Unit 6.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. A buyer saves \$150 a month for 16 months with no interest. Find the total.
    Show the full solution

    \( 150 \times 16 = 2400 \). \$2,400

  2. Find the interest on a \$1,500 card balance at 22.99 percent paid over 12 months.
    Show the full solution

    The monthly payment is \( 1500 \times \dfrac{0.019158}{1 - (1.019158)^{-12}} = 141.11 \). The total is \( 141.11 \times 12 = 1693.32 \), so the interest is \( 1693.32 - 1500 = 193.32 \). \$193.32

  3. Find the deposit needed to reach \$1,800 in 10 months at 4.5 percent compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( D = \dfrac{1800 \times 0.00375}{(1.00375)^{10} - 1} = \dfrac{6.75}{0.038139} = 176.98 \). \$176.98

  4. A zero-rate plan on \$1,800 charges a 3 percent fee. Find the fee.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.03 \times 1800 = 54 \). \$54.00

  5. Find the interest on a \$1,800, 12-month loan at 9.9 percent.
    Show the full solution

    The payment is \$158.16, total \$1,897.92, so the interest is \$97.92. \$97.92

  6. Find the interest on a \$1,800, 12-month card balance at 24.99 percent.
    Show the full solution

    The payment is \$171.07, total \$2,052.84, so the interest is \$252.84. \$252.84

  7. Inflation of 3 percent raises the price of a \$2,400 item during a year of saving. Find the extra cost.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.03 \times 2400 = 72 \). Saving first may cost this in a higher price, which offsets the \$49.08 of interest. \$72.00

  8. In the worked example, find how much more the card costs than the loan.
    Show the full solution

    \( 337.08 - 130.68 = 206.40 \). \$206.40

  9. The zero-rate plan has a clause: if not paid in 12 months, interest at 26.99 percent is charged from the start. Why is it risky, and what is the cost of one missed month on a balance of \$400 at that point?
    Show the full solution

    A late payment can turn the free plan into the most expensive route. Interest on the whole original balance could be billed back. On \$400 for a year at 26.99 percent, the charge is about \( 400 \times 0.2699 = 107.96 \) in simple terms. A promotion is cheap only if it is paid in time. A missed deadline can cost more than the fee

  10. A student chooses the plan with the lowest monthly payment. Explain why that can be wrong, using the worked example.
    Show the full solution

    The lowest payment is the saving plan's \$195.91, but it delays the purchase a year. Among the plans that deliver the laptop now, the zero-rate plan has the lowest payment (\$206.00) and the lowest cost (\$72). A payment must always be read with the total cost and the timing. Compare total cost and timing, not the payment

Lesson 11.6 · Unit 11 · A-CED.1

Putting the year together in the right order

A plan is an ordering. The same dollar can go to a dozen places, and each place has a return: paying a 24 percent card returns 24 percent, capturing an employer match returns 100 percent, a savings account returns 4.5 percent. The plan sends money to the best use first, and the arithmetic of this course says what that order is.

The method
  1. Start with the budget. Net pay, needs, wants, and the surplus available to save, from Lesson 3.1.
  2. Capture the employer match first. It is an immediate return of 100 percent or the match rate.
  3. Pay off high-interest debt next. Paying a balance at 24 percent returns 24 percent, more than any safe account.
  4. Build the emergency fund: three to six months of essential expenses, before other investing, so a crisis does not create new debt.
  5. Then save for retirement at a rate near 15 percent of income, including the match, in tax-favored accounts.
  6. Then fund goals with a known amount and date, using the deposit formula.
  7. Insure against ruinous losses and avoid fees and fraud.
  8. Review yearly: net worth, savings rate, and whether each step is on schedule. Change the plan when life changes.

Where students lose marks: the order. Investing for retirement while carrying a card at 24 percent earns perhaps 7 percent and pays 24, a net loss of 17 points. The plan sends money to the highest guaranteed return first.

Worked example

The problem. A worker earns \$54,000 and has net pay of \$3,120 a month with a surplus of \$570 after needs and wants. Her employer matches 100 percent up to 4 percent of pay. She owes \$1,200 on a card at 24 percent, has no emergency fund, essential expenses of \$1,985 a month, and wants \$4,800 for a move in 18 months. (a) Find the match. (b) Plan the card payoff. (c) Plan the emergency fund. (d) Find the retirement saving and the goal deposit.

Step one: the match for (a). Monthly pay is \( \dfrac{54000}{12} = 4500 \), and 4 percent is \$180 a month, or \$2,160 a year. She already contributes enough to receive it, as in Lesson 5.5.

Step two: the card for (b). Paying \$200 a month clears \$1,200 at 24 percent in 7 months, with interest of \$91.57 in all.

Step three: the emergency fund for (c). Three months of essentials is \( 3 \times 1985 = 5955 \). While the card is paid, \$370 of the \$570 surplus goes to the fund: \( 370 \times 7 = 2590 \) by month 7.

Step four: after the card. The full \$570 goes to the fund. The remaining \( 5955 - 2590 = 3365 \) takes \( \dfrac{3365}{570} = 5.90 \) months, so 6 more months. The fund is complete in month 13.

Step five: retirement for (d). A 15 percent rate of \$4,500 is \$675 a month including the \$180 match, so she contributes \$495, which is 11 percent of pay. Over 35 years at 7 percent this grows to \( 675 \times 1801.0546 = 1{,}215{,}711.86 \) dollars, against \$810,474.57 at her current \$450.

Step six: the goal. The move needs \$4,800 in 18 months: about \( \dfrac{4800}{18} = 266.67 \) dollars a month without interest (slightly less with it).

Step seven: check the budget. The \$570 surplus is fully used in months 1 to 7 (\$200 card, \$370 fund). From month 14 it is free for the goal and more retirement saving; the move can start in month 14 at a higher deposit, or the goal can be pushed out.

Step eight: state the plan. Keep the \$180 match; clear the card in 7 months; complete a \$5,955 emergency fund in 13 months; raise retirement saving to 15 percent including the match; fund the move after month 13. The ordering, not any single number, is the result: each step sends money to the best available return.

Practice · 10 problems

Problems 1 to 5 are routine. Problems 6 to 10 are multi-step or ask for reasoning.

  1. Find a six-month emergency fund for essential expenses of \$1,985.
    Show the full solution

    \( 6 \times 1985 = 11910 \). \$11,910

  2. A surplus of \$570 is split among \$200 for a card, \$200 for an emergency fund and the rest for a goal. Find the goal deposit.
    Show the full solution

    \( 570 - 200 - 200 = 170 \). \$170

  3. A worker needs \$4,800 in 18 months and ignores interest. Find the monthly deposit.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{4800}{18} = 266.67 \). \$266.67

  4. An employer matches 4 percent of a \$54,000 salary. Find the yearly and monthly match.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.04 \times 54000 = 2160 \) a year, and \( \dfrac{2160}{12} = 180 \) a month. \$2,160; \$180

  5. Find the value of \$675 a month for 35 years at 7 percent compounded monthly, and of \$450 a month.
    Show the full solution

    \( 675 \times 1801.0546 = 1215711.86 \) and \( 450 \times 1801.0546 = 810474.57 \). The extra \$225 a month adds \$405,237.29. \$1,215,711.86 and \$810,474.57

  6. A card balance of \$1,200 at 24 percent is paid at \$200 a month. Find the months and the total interest.
    Show the full solution

    \( n = \dfrac{-\ln(1 - 24/200)}{\ln 1.02} = 6.46 \), so 7 payments, the last smaller. The interest is \$91.57. 7 months; \$91.57

  7. By month 7 of the worked plan, find the emergency fund balance and the amount still needed.
    Show the full solution

    \( 370 \times 7 = 2590 \). Still needed: \( 5955 - 2590 = 3365 \). \$2,590; \$3,365

  8. How many more months, at \$570, to finish the fund, and in which month is it complete?
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{3365}{570} = 5.90 \), so 6 months. The fund is complete in month \( 7 + 6 = 13 \). 6 months; month 13

  9. Find the savings rate in the plan when all \$570 is used, as a percent of net pay.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{570}{3120} \times 100 = 18.27 \). 18.27 percent

  10. A student wants to start investing for retirement now and pay the 24 percent card later, since the market returns 7 percent. Find the flaw in terms of returns.
    Show the full solution

    Every dollar left on the card costs 24 percent a year, while a dollar invested is expected to earn about 7 percent and might lose. Choosing to invest gives up a sure 24 percent for an uncertain 7, a net loss of 17 points a year on each dollar. The exception is the employer match, which returns 100 percent and is worth taking first. Pay the 24 percent debt first

Unit 11 review · 10 problems · all lessons

Unit 11 review: Planning as a Whole

These are shuffled across all six lessons. Write the question in words, then decide which statement or ratio answers it.

  1. Assets: checking \$3,200, savings \$9,500, car \$11,400, retirement \$26,800. Liabilities: car loan \$7,900, credit card \$1,450, student loan \$14,600. Find the net worth.
    Show the full solution

    Assets \( 3200 + 9500 + 11400 + 26800 = \$50{,}900 \). Liabilities \( 7900 + 1450 + 14600 = \$23{,}950 \). Subtract. \$26,950

  2. Take-home pay is \$3,850 a month and spending is \$3,120. Find the monthly surplus and the savings rate.
    Show the full solution

    \( 3850 - 3120 = \$730 \). Rate \( \dfrac{730}{3850} = 0.1896 \). \$730; about 19.0%

  3. Sizes and prices: 18 oz for \$3.42, 32 oz for \$5.76 and 12 oz for \$2.52. Find each unit price and pick the best buy.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{3.42}{18} = 0.19 \), \( \dfrac{5.76}{32} = 0.18 \), \( \dfrac{2.52}{12} = 0.21 \) dollars per ounce. 19 cents, 18 cents and 21 cents an ounce; the 32 oz size is the best buy

  4. A \$120 jacket is 35% off, then a coupon takes 20% off the sale price. Find the price and the single discount that gives the same result.
    Show the full solution

    \( 120(0.65) = \$78 \), then \( 78(0.80) = \$62.40 \). Overall factor \( 0.65(0.80) = 0.52 \), so the discount is 48%, not 55%. \$62.40; equivalent to 48% off

  5. A store buys an item for \$48 and marks it up 60% of cost. Find the price and the profit as a percent of the selling price.
    Show the full solution

    Price \( 48(1.60) = \$76.80 \). Profit \( 76.80 - 48 = 28.80 \). Percent of price \( \dfrac{28.80}{76.80} = 0.375 \). \$76.80; margin 37.5%

  6. A job pays \$68,000 in a city with a cost-of-living index of 100. A second city has an index of 118 and offers \$76,000. Find the salary needed to match, and compare.
    Show the full solution

    \( 68000 \times \dfrac{118}{100} = \$80{,}240 \). The offer is \$4,240 short of it. \$80,240 needed; the \$76,000 offer is a pay cut in real terms

  7. A \$1,800 laptop can be paid for in cash, saved for at \$150 a month for 12 months, or bought on a card at 21% APR over 12 equal payments. Find the card's payment and the interest paid.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.0175 \), \( (1.0175)^{-12} = 0.812058 \). \( PMT = \dfrac{1800(0.0175)}{1 - 0.812058} = 167.60 \). Interest \( 12(167.60) - 1800 \). Saving costs no interest but means waiting. \$167.60 a month; \$211.26 in interest

  8. Roommates pay \$2,100 rent, \$240 utilities and \$60 internet. They split the total in proportion to take-home pay of \$3,000 and \$4,500. Find each share.
    Show the full solution

    Total \( 2100 + 240 + 60 = \$2{,}400 \). Shares of income are \( \dfrac{3000}{7500} = 40\% \) and 60%. \( 0.40(2400) \), \( 0.60(2400) \). \$960 and \$1,440

  9. A household has a \$2,600 card balance at 24% APR. Find the monthly payment that clears it in 12 months, and the total interest.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.02 \), \( (1.02)^{-12} = 0.788493 \). \( PMT = \dfrac{2600(0.02)}{1 - 0.788493} = 245.85 \). Interest \( 12(245.85) - 2600 = 350.26 \). Clearing this debt comes before investing because 24% exceeds any safe return. \$245.85 a month; \$350.26 in interest

  10. A student lists a home worth \$300,000 as a \$300,000 contribution to net worth, with a \$240,000 mortgage left unlisted. Find the error.
    Show the full solution

    Net worth is assets minus liabilities. The mortgage is a liability. \( 300000 - 240000 \). The home adds \$60,000 to net worth, not \$300,000

Cumulative review 1 · 10 problems · units 1 to 6

Everything from earning through credit cards

A unit review tells you which unit the problem came from. This one does not, which is the point: naming the kind of problem before you touch the numbers is half of the work on a real test.

  1. Find the gross pay for 44 hours at \$22.40 per hour with time and a half over 40.
    Show the full solution

    \( 40(22.40) = \$896 \). Overtime \( 4(33.60) = \$134.40 \). \$1,030.40

  2. Gross biweekly pay is \$2,060.80. Deductions are 10% federal, 3% state and 7.65% FICA. Find the net pay.
    Show the full solution

    Total rate \( 10 + 3 + 7.65 = 20.65\% \). Deductions \( 2060.80(0.2065) = 425.5552 \). Net \( 2060.80 - 425.56 \). \$1,635.24

  3. Use the teaching brackets (10% to \$12,000, 12% to \$48,000, 22% to \$100,000, 24% to \$190,000). Find the tax on a taxable income of \$52,000 and the effective rate.
    Show the full solution

    \( 1200 + 4320 + 0.22(52000 - 48000) = 5520 + 0.22(4000) = 5520 + \$880 \). Effective \( \dfrac{6{,}400.00}{52000} \). \$6,400; effective about 12.3%

  4. A budget sets a six-month emergency fund, and essential expenses are \$2,900 a month. Find the goal.
    Show the full solution

    \( 6(2900) \). \$17,400

  5. A savings account pays 3.9% compounded monthly. Find the APY.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.00325 \). \( (1.00325)^{12} = 1.039705 \), so APY \( 0.039705 \). about 3.970%

  6. Find the value of \$9,000 at 4.5% compounded quarterly for 7 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.01125 \), \( n = 28 \). \( 9000(1.01125)^{28} = 9000(1.367852) \). \$12,310.66

  7. Find the future value of \$150 deposited monthly for 25 years at 5.4% compounded monthly.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.0045 \), \( n = 300 \), \( (1.0045)^{300} = 3.845761 \). \( 150 \cdot \dfrac{3.845761 - 1}{0.0045} \). \$94,858.71

  8. A card with a 22.8% APR carries a \$3,600 balance and the cardholder pays \$200. Find the month's interest and how much of the payment reduces the balance.
    Show the full solution

    Monthly rate \( 0.228 \div 12 = 0.019 \). Interest \( 3600(0.019) = \$68.40 \). Principal \( 200 - 68.40 \). \$68.40 interest; \$131.60 principal

  9. Use the rule of 72 to estimate the doubling time of an investment growing 7.2% a year, then find it exactly.
    Show the full solution

    Rule \( 72 \div 7.2 = 10 \). Exact \( \dfrac{\ln 2}{\ln 1.072} = \dfrac{0.693147}{0.069526} \). about 10 years; 9.97 years exactly

  10. A student finds \$500 a month at 6% compounded monthly for 10 years as \( 500 \cdot \dfrac{(1.06)^{10} - 1}{0.06} \). Find the error and the right answer.
    Show the full solution

    Deposits are monthly, so the rate is \( 0.06 \div 12 = 0.005 \) and there are \( 10(12) = 120 \) periods. \( 500 \cdot \dfrac{(1.005)^{120} - 1}{0.005} = 500(163.879347) \). The student used the annual rate with annual periods and deposits. \$81,939.67, not the student's figure

Cumulative review 2 · 10 problems · units 1 to 11

The whole year: earning, saving, borrowing, protecting and planning

These draw on every unit. For each one, name the quantity asked for, the period it covers, and the base of every percent before you compute.

  1. A freelancer has \$40,000 of net earnings. Find the self-employment tax at 15.3% of 92.35% of net earnings.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.9235(40000) = \$36{,}940 \). \( 0.153(36940) \). \$5,651.82

  2. Use the teaching brackets (10% to \$12,000, 12% to \$48,000, 22% to \$100,000, 24% to \$190,000). A single filer has \$70,000 of gross income and a \$14,000 standard deduction. Find the tax.
    Show the full solution

    Taxable \( 70000 - 14000 = \$56{,}000 \). \( 1200 + 4320 + 0.22(56000 - 48000) = 5520 + 0.22(8000) = 5520 + \$1{,}760 \). \$7,280

  3. A household has take-home pay of \$3,900 a month and follows a 50/30/20 budget. Find the amount for each category.
    Show the full solution

    \( 0.50(3900) = \$1{,}950 \), \( 0.30(3900) = \$1{,}170 \), \( 0.20(3900) = \$780 \). \$1,950, \$1,170 and \$780

  4. Compare a 35-year saver and a 25-year saver, each depositing \$200 a month at 6% compounded monthly. Find each future value.
    Show the full solution

    35 years: \( (1.005)^{420} = 8.123551 \), value 284,942.06. 25 years: \( (1.005)^{300} = 4.464970 \), value 138,598.79. \$284,942.06 against \$138,598.79; ten more years adds \$146,343.27

  5. A \$2,400 card balance at 19.8% APR is paid with a fixed \$120 a month and no new charges. How many months does it take, and what is the total paid?
    Show the full solution

    Monthly rate 1.65%. \( 1 - \dfrac{2400(0.0165)}{120} = 0.67 \), so \( n = -\dfrac{\ln 0.67}{\ln 1.0165} \approx 24.5 \), rounded up. Running the balance forward confirms the month count and total. 25 months; about \$2,936.77

  6. Find the payment on a \$14,000 car loan at 7.2% for 4 years, and the total paid.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.006 \), \( n = 48 \), \( (1.006)^{-48} = 0.750407 \). \( PMT = \dfrac{14000(0.006)}{1 - 0.750407} \). Total \( 48(336.55) = 16{,}154.40 \). \$336.55 a month; \$16,154.40 in all

  7. A \$28,000 car loses 15% of its value each year. Find its value after 5 years.
    Show the full solution

    \( 28000(0.85)^5 = 28000(0.443705) \). \$12,423.75

  8. Find the monthly principal-and-interest payment on a \$200,000 mortgage at 6% for 30 years, and the total interest.
    Show the full solution

    \( i = 0.005 \), \( n = 360 \), \( (1.005)^{-360} = 0.166042 \). Payment \$1,199.10. Interest \( 360(1{,}199.10) - 200000 = 231{,}676.00 \). \$1,199.10 a month; \$231,676 of interest

  9. A \$120,000 loss has a 1 in 400 chance in a year. Find the expected loss, and explain why a household still buys coverage.
    Show the full solution

    \( \dfrac{1}{400}(120000) = \$300 \). The expected loss is small, but the loss itself is one no household could absorb. \$300; insurance trades a small certain cost for protection against a ruinous one

  10. A fund gains 30% in year one and loses 30% in year two. A student says the average return is 0% so the money is unchanged. Find the ending value of \$10,000 and the error.
    Show the full solution

    \( 10000(1.30) = \$13{,}000 \), then \( 13000(0.70) = \$9{,}100 \). The loss is taken of the larger amount, so the average of the returns overstates what was earned. It ends at \$9,100, a compound return of about -4.6% a year

Reference · always available

Every formula and rule this course lets you quote

This sheet lists the formulas and rules the course establishes, with the lesson that develops each one. It is meant to be looked up, not memorized in one sitting. Where a formula has a short derivation, the lesson gives it, and understanding where it comes from is faster than recalling a form you half remember. Tax brackets, wage bases, deductions and limits change every year, so every problem in this course states the figures it uses. Those figures are teaching figures and are not current tax advice.

Calculator policy and the rounding rule. Keep full precision through a calculation and round only the final answer to cents. A monthly rate of \( 0.06 \div 12 = 0.005 \) is exact, but a rate such as \( 0.054 \div 12 \) should stay in the calculator, not be written as 0.0045 and retyped. A quick check for any loan payment: multiply the payment by the number of payments. The product must be larger than the amount borrowed, and the excess is the interest.

The four errors this course names

The errorWhy it is wrong
The period mismatchAn annual rate with monthly periods, or years mixed with months. Divide the annual rate by the periods per year and multiply the years by the periods per year. Lessons 4.2, 5.1, 7.1
The wrong baseA percent is always a percent of something. A 25% raise and a 25% cut do not cancel, because the cut is taken of the larger amount. Lessons 1.5, 10.5, 11.3
Rounding too earlyRound only the final answer. A rounded monthly rate changes a mortgage payment by dollars. Lessons 4.3, 7.1, 8.5
Answering a different questionThe payment, the total paid, the interest and the balance are four different numbers, and APR and APY are different rates. Lessons 3.4, 7.3, 8.5

Earning and paychecks (unit 1)

ResultWhere it comes from
Overtime pay \( = \) regular hours \( \times \) rate \( + \) overtime hours \( \times 1.5 \times \) rateLesson 1.1
Pay per period \( = \dfrac{\text{annual salary}}{\text{periods per year}} \): 12 monthly, 24 twice a month, 26 biweekly, 52 weeklyLesson 1.1, 1.2
Net pay \( = \) gross pay \( - \) all taxes \( - \) all deductionsLesson 1.3
Social Security 6.2% of wages up to the wage base; Medicare 1.45% of all wages; each from the employee and from the employerLesson 1.4
Percent change \( = \dfrac{\text{new} - \text{old}}{\text{old}} \times 100\% \), with the old amount as the baseLesson 1.5
Self-employment tax \( = 0.153 \times 0.9235 \times \) net earningsLesson 1.6

Income taxes (unit 2)

ResultWhere it comes from
Taxable income \( = \) gross income \( - \) pre-tax contributions \( - \) deductionLessons 2.3, 2.4
Tax is computed band by band: each rate applies only to the dollars inside its bandLesson 2.1
Effective rate \( = \dfrac{\text{tax}}{\text{taxable income}} \); marginal rate is the rate on the last dollarLesson 2.2
A deduction saves (deduction) \( \times \) (marginal rate); a credit saves its full amountLesson 2.3
Refund \( = \) withheld \( - \) tax owed; a negative result is a balance dueLesson 2.6
A tax is progressive if the share of income rises with income, flat if constant, regressive if it fallsLesson 2.7

Budgeting and banking (unit 3)

ResultWhere it comes from
A 50/30/20 budget assigns 50% of take-home pay to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savingLesson 3.1
Monthly set-aside for an irregular cost \( = \dfrac{\text{yearly cost}}{12} \)Lesson 3.2
True balance \( = \) statement balance \( - \) outstanding checks \( + \) deposits in transitLesson 3.3
\( \text{APY} = \left(1 + \dfrac{r}{n}\right)^n - 1 \)Lesson 3.4
Emergency fund goal \( = \) months of essential expenses \( \times \) monthly essentialsLesson 3.6

Interest (unit 4)

ResultWhere it comes from
Simple interest \( I = Prt \), with \( t \) in yearsLesson 4.1
Compound interest \( A = P\left(1 + \dfrac{r}{n}\right)^{nt} \)Lessons 4.2, 4.3
Continuous compounding \( A = Pe^{rt} \)Lesson 4.3
APY and APR: APY includes compounding, APR does not; compare accounts by APYLesson 4.4
Doubling time: rule of 72 gives \( \approx \dfrac{72}{\text{rate in percent}} \); exactly \( t = \dfrac{\ln 2}{\ln(1 + r)} \)Lesson 4.5
Purchasing power after \( t \) years of inflation \( i \) is \( \dfrac{P}{(1 + i)^t} \)Lesson 4.6

Saving and the time value of money (unit 5)

ResultWhere it comes from
Future value of regular deposits \( FV = PMT \cdot \dfrac{(1 + i)^n - 1}{i} \), with \( i \) the rate per period and \( n \) the number of periodsLesson 5.1
Present value of one amount \( PV = \dfrac{FV}{(1 + i)^n} \)Lesson 5.2
Deposit needed for a goal \( PMT = \dfrac{FV \cdot i}{(1 + i)^n - 1} \)Lesson 5.3
Starting earlier beats saving more later, because early deposits have more periods to growLesson 5.4
Employer match \( = \) match rate \( \times \) the smaller of the contribution and the matched capLesson 5.5
Level withdrawal \( PMT = \dfrac{PV \cdot i}{1 - (1 + i)^{-n}} \); time to exhaust \( n = -\dfrac{\ln\left(1 - \frac{PV \cdot i}{PMT}\right)}{\ln(1 + i)} \)Lesson 5.7

Credit cards and loans (units 6 and 7)

ResultWhere it comes from
Monthly rate \( = \dfrac{\text{APR}}{12} \); interest is charged on the balance before the payment is appliedLesson 6.1
New balance \( = \) old balance \( + \) interest \( - \) payment; principal paid \( = \) payment \( - \) interestLessons 6.1, 6.2
Months to pay off a card \( n = -\dfrac{\ln\left(1 - \frac{B \cdot i}{PMT}\right)}{\ln(1 + i)} \); a payment that does not exceed \( B \cdot i \) never pays the balance downLesson 6.2
Average daily balance \( = \dfrac{\sum (\text{balance} \times \text{days at that balance})}{\text{days in the cycle}} \)Lesson 6.3
Utilization \( = \dfrac{\text{total balances}}{\text{total limits}} \)Lesson 6.5
Avalanche pays the highest rate first; snowball pays the smallest balance firstLesson 6.7
Loan payment \( PMT = \dfrac{P \cdot i}{1 - (1 + i)^{-n}} \)Lesson 7.1
Each row of an amortization table: interest \( = i \times \) balance; principal \( = PMT - \) interest; new balance \( = \) balance \( - \) principalLesson 7.2
Total paid \( = PMT \times n \); total interest \( = \) total paid \( - P \)Lesson 7.3
Annualized cost of a short loan \( = \dfrac{\text{fee}}{\text{amount}} \times \dfrac{365}{\text{days}} \)Lesson 7.6

Cars and housing (unit 8)

ResultWhere it comes from
Amount financed \( = \) price \( + \) tax \( + \) fees \( - \) down paymentLesson 8.1
Value after \( t \) years of depreciation at rate \( d \): \( V = V_0(1 - d)^t \)Lesson 8.2
Effective lease cost per month \( = \dfrac{\text{payments} + \text{due at signing}}{\text{months}} \)Lesson 8.3
Rent rising at rate \( g \) for \( k \) years totals \( R \cdot \dfrac{(1 + g)^k - 1}{g} \), with \( R \) the first year's rentLesson 8.4
Mortgage payment uses the loan payment formula with \( n = 12 \times \) yearsLesson 8.5
Monthly cost of owning \( = \) principal and interest \( + \) property tax \( + \) insurance (PITI)Lesson 8.6
Front-end ratio \( = \dfrac{\text{housing}}{\text{gross income}} \); back-end ratio \( = \dfrac{\text{housing} + \text{other debt}}{\text{gross income}} \)Lesson 8.7
Refinance break-even months \( = \dfrac{\text{closing costs}}{\text{monthly saving}} \); equity \( = \) value \( - \) balanceLesson 8.8

Insurance and investing (units 9 and 10)

ResultWhere it comes from
Patient cost \( = \) deductible \( + \) coinsurance share of the rest, never more than the out-of-pocket maximumLessons 9.1, 9.4
Expected value \( = \sum (\text{probability} \times \text{outcome}) \)Lesson 9.2
Coinsurance payout \( = \dfrac{\text{insurance carried}}{\text{insurance required}} \times \text{loss} - \text{deductible} \)Lesson 9.3
Break-even probability \( p = \dfrac{\text{premium saved}}{\text{extra deductible}} \)Lesson 9.6
Return on investment \( = \dfrac{\text{gain, including dividends, less costs}}{\text{cost}} \)Lesson 10.1
Current yield of a bond \( = \dfrac{\text{yearly interest}}{\text{price}} \)Lesson 10.2
A fee of \( f \) per year lowers the growth rate by \( f \) and compounds against you over the yearsLesson 10.3
The compound annual return over \( n \) years is \( \left(\dfrac{\text{end}}{\text{start}}\right)^{1/n} - 1 \), and it is below the average of the returns when returns varyLesson 10.5
Dividend yield \( = \dfrac{\text{dividend per share}}{\text{price}} \); price to earnings \( = \dfrac{\text{price}}{\text{earnings per share}} \)Lesson 10.6
Real return \( = \dfrac{1 + \text{nominal}}{1 + \text{inflation}} - 1 \)Lessons 4.6, 10.3

Planning as a whole (unit 11)

ResultWhere it comes from
Net worth \( = \) assets \( - \) liabilitiesLesson 11.1
Savings rate \( = \dfrac{\text{income} - \text{spending}}{\text{income}} \)Lesson 11.2
Unit price \( = \dfrac{\text{price}}{\text{quantity}} \); successive discounts multiply their factors, so 35% then 20% off is \( 0.65 \times 0.80 = 0.52 \)Lesson 11.3
Markup on cost \( = \dfrac{\text{price} - \text{cost}}{\text{cost}} \); margin \( = \dfrac{\text{price} - \text{cost}}{\text{price}} \)Lesson 11.3
Equivalent salary in another city \( = \) salary \( \times \dfrac{\text{new index}}{\text{old index}} \)Lesson 11.4
Order for a plan: emergency fund and the employer match, then high-rate debt, then long-term investingLesson 11.6

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