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Question

A sum of money at a fixed rate of simple interest amounts to Rs. 1,630 in 3 years and to Rs. 1,708 in 4 years. Find the sum (in Rs.).

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2023 (Tier-II) Paper 1 Previous Year Paper (26-Oct-2023) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

1396

Solving the Simple Interest Problem

The problem involves a sum of money invested at a fixed simple interest rate. We are given the amounts after 3 years and 4 years, and we need to find the original principal sum.

In simple interest, the interest earned each year is constant and is calculated only on the original principal amount. This is different from compound interest, where interest is calculated on the principal plus accumulated interest.

Understanding the Given Information

  • Amount after 3 years = Rs. 1,630
  • Amount after 4 years = Rs. 1,708

The increase in the amount from the end of the 3rd year to the end of the 4th year is simply the simple interest earned during the 4th year. Since simple interest is constant every year, this increase is also the interest earned in any single year.

Step-by-Step Solution to Find the Sum

Calculate the Simple Interest for One Year

The difference between the amount after 4 years and the amount after 3 years gives us the simple interest earned in the 4th year.

Simple Interest for 1 year = Amount in 4 years - Amount in 3 years

Simple Interest for 1 year = Rs. \(1708 - 1630\)

Simple Interest for 1 year = Rs. \(78\)

So, the simple interest earned per year is Rs. 78.

Calculate the Total Simple Interest for 3 Years

Since the simple interest per year is Rs. 78, the total simple interest earned over 3 years is:

Total Simple Interest for 3 years = Simple Interest for 1 year \(\times\) Number of years

Total Simple Interest for 3 years = Rs. \(78 \times 3\)

Total Simple Interest for 3 years = Rs. \(234\)

Calculate the Principal Sum

The amount after 3 years is the sum of the original principal and the total simple interest earned over 3 years.

Amount after 3 years = Principal + Total Simple Interest for 3 years

We know the Amount after 3 years is Rs. 1,630 and the Total Simple Interest for 3 years is Rs. 234. We can rearrange the formula to find the Principal:

Principal = Amount after 3 years - Total Simple Interest for 3 years

Principal = Rs. \(1630 - 234\)

Principal = Rs. \(1396\)

Therefore, the original sum (principal) is Rs. 1396.

Item Value (Rs.)
Amount after 3 years 1630
Amount after 4 years 1708
Simple Interest for 1 year (1708 - 1630) 78
Total Simple Interest for 3 years (78 x 3) 234
Principal (Amount after 3 years - Total Interest for 3 years) 1630 - 234 = 1396

Revision Table: Simple Interest Concepts

Term Meaning Formula (where P=Principal, R=Rate, T=Time)
Principal (P) The initial sum of money invested or borrowed. -
Interest (SI) The extra money earned or paid. \(SI = \frac{P \times R \times T}{100}\)
Rate of Interest (R) The percentage at which interest is calculated per period (usually per year). -
Time (T) The duration for which the money is invested or borrowed. -
Amount (A) The total sum after adding interest to the principal. \(A = P + SI\) or \(A = P + \frac{P \times R \times T}{100}\) or \(A = P(1 + \frac{R \times T}{100})\)

Additional Information: Simple Interest vs. Compound Interest

  • Simple Interest: Interest is calculated only on the original principal amount for the entire duration. The interest earned each period is constant.
  • Compound Interest: Interest is calculated on the principal amount plus any accumulated interest from previous periods. The interest earned grows over time because the base on which it's calculated increases.
  • This problem specifically mentions "simple interest", which is why the yearly interest is constant.

To find the rate of interest (R) in this problem, we could use the formula \(SI = \frac{P \times R \times T}{100}\). We know \(SI\) for 1 year is Rs. 78, \(P\) is Rs. 1396, and \(T\) is 1 year.

\(78 = \frac{1396 \times R \times 1}{100}\)

\(R = \frac{78 \times 100}{1396}\)

\(R \approx 5.587\%\) per annum.

However, the question only asked for the sum, which we have found to be Rs. 1396.

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Similar Questions

  1. If the simple interest at the same interest rate on ₹500 for 4 years and ₹700 for 2 years, combined together, is ₹280, then what is the rate of interest?

  2. A man invests a total sum of Rs. 10,000 in a company. A part of the sum was invested at 10% simple interest per annum and the remaining part at 15% simple interest per annum. If the total interest accrued to him in two years equals Rs. 2,400, the sum invested at 15% simple interest per annum is:

  3. If Rs. 72 amounts to Rs. 104.4 in 3 years, what will Rs. 120 amount to in 5 years at the same rate percent per annum?

  4. A person deposited Rs. 500 for 3 years, Rs. 650 for 5 years, and Rs. 1,250 for 7 years. He received a total simple interest of Rs. 1,620. The rate of interest per annum is: 

  5. A sum of money invested at a certain rate of simple interest per annum amounts to Rs. 14,522 in seven years and to Rs. 18,906 in eleven years. Find the sum invested (in Rs.).

  6. A person took a loan at 5% per annum simple interest during the first year and with an increase of 0.5% simple interest every year from the second year onwards. After 4 years, he paid Rs. 4,600 as a total interest to settle the loan completely. How much was the loan?  

  7. In how many years will a sum of Rs. 9,500 amount to Rs. 11,780 at the rate of 8% per annum at simple interest?

  8. A sum of money becomes \( \frac{8}{7} \) of itself in 2 years at a certain rate of simple interest. The rate per annum is:

  9. A sum of money earns a simple interest at 7.25% per annum for the first eight years, at 8.5% for the next six years, and at 6.5% for the final four years. If the total interest earned during these eighteen years was Rs. 35,100, what was the original sum invested (in Rs.)?

  10. A certain amount is lent at x% p.a. simple interest for 3 years. Instead, if the amount was lent at 3x% p.a. simple interest for 'y' more years, then the simple interest would have been seven times the earlier interest. What is the value of y?


Important Questions from Simple Interest

  1. If ₹12,800 is invested in a bank for 5 years at the rate of 9% per annum simple interest. what amount is returned by the bank?

  2. Somu has borrowed ₹10,000 from a money lender with simple interest at a rate of 7% half yearly. How much amount will he pay to the money lender after 3 years?

  3. Find the Simple interest on Rs. 2,400 from 20 March 2019 to 31 may 2019 at \(6{1 \over 4}\) % rate?

  4. If the simple interest for five years is equal is 35% of the principal, that rate of interest is:

  5. A sum fetched a simple interest of Rs. 3,040 at the rate of 8% p.a in 5 years. what is the sum?

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