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Question

A sum of money was invested at the rate of 7.5% simple interest per annuum for 4 years. If the investments were for 5 years, the interest earned would have been Rs. 375 more. What was the initial sum invested?

This question was previously asked in
RRB ALP 2018 CBT 2 Fitter Question Paper (21-Jan-2019) (Shift 3)
The correct answer is

Rs. 5,000

Understanding Simple Interest and the Problem

This question deals with simple interest earned on an investment. Simple interest is calculated only on the principal amount. The formula for simple interest is:

\( \text{SI} = \frac{P \times R \times T}{100} \)

Where:

  • \(P\) is the Principal amount (the initial sum invested).
  • \(R\) is the Rate of interest per annum.
  • \(T\) is the Time period in years.
  • \(\text{SI}\) is the Simple Interest earned.

The problem provides us with the interest rate, two different time periods for investment, and the difference in the simple interest earned between these two periods. We need to find the initial sum invested, which is the Principal (\(P\)).

Setting up the Simple Interest Calculation

Let the initial sum invested be \(P\) (in Rupees).

The given Rate of Interest is \(R = 7.5\%\) per annum.

Case 1: Investment for 4 Years

Time period, \(T_1 = 4\) years.

Simple Interest earned in 4 years, \(\text{SI}_1\):

\( \text{SI}_1 = \frac{P \times R \times T_1}{100} = \frac{P \times 7.5 \times 4}{100} \)

\( \text{SI}_1 = \frac{30P}{100} \)

Case 2: Investment for 5 Years

Time period, \(T_2 = 5\) years.

Simple Interest earned in 5 years, \(\text{SI}_2\):

\( \text{SI}_2 = \frac{P \times R \times T_2}{100} = \frac{P \times 7.5 \times 5}{100} \)

\( \text{SI}_2 = \frac{37.5P}{100} \)

Calculating the Initial Sum Invested

The problem states that if the investment were for 5 years instead of 4 years, the interest earned would have been Rs. 375 more. This means the difference between the simple interest earned in 5 years (\(\text{SI}_2\)) and the simple interest earned in 4 years (\(\text{SI}_1\)) is Rs. 375.

\( \text{SI}_2 - \text{SI}_1 = 375 \)

Substitute the expressions for \(\text{SI}_1\) and \(\text{SI}_2\):

\( \frac{37.5P}{100} - \frac{30P}{100} = 375 \)

Combine the terms on the left side:

\( \frac{(37.5 - 30)P}{100} = 375 \)

\( \frac{7.5P}{100} = 375 \)

Now, solve for \(P\). Multiply both sides by 100:

\( 7.5P = 375 \times 100 \)

\( 7.5P = 37500 \)

Divide both sides by 7.5:

\( P = \frac{37500}{7.5} \)

To make the division easier, we can multiply the numerator and denominator by 10 to remove the decimal:

\( P = \frac{375000}{75} \)

Now, perform the division:

\( P = 5000 \)

So, the initial sum invested was Rs. 5,000.

Let's verify the difference:

  • \( \text{SI}_1 = \frac{5000 \times 7.5 \times 4}{100} = \frac{5000 \times 30}{100} = \frac{150000}{100} = 1500 \)
  • \( \text{SI}_2 = \frac{5000 \times 7.5 \times 5}{100} = \frac{5000 \times 37.5}{100} = \frac{187500}{100} = 1875 \)
  • Difference = \( \text{SI}_2 - \text{SI}_1 = 1875 - 1500 = 375 \)

The calculated difference matches the value given in the problem (Rs. 375), confirming our calculated principal amount is correct.

Summary of Calculation Steps

Step Description Calculation
1 Identify Variables R = 7.5%, T1 = 4 years, T2 = 5 years, SI2 - SI1 = 375
2 Write SI Formula \( \text{SI} = \frac{P \times R \times T}{100} \)
3 Calculate SI1 \( \text{SI}_1 = \frac{P \times 7.5 \times 4}{100} = \frac{30P}{100} \)
4 Calculate SI2 \( \text{SI}_2 = \frac{P \times 7.5 \times 5}{100} = \frac{37.5P}{100} \)
5 Set up Difference Equation \( \text{SI}_2 - \text{SI}_1 = 375 \)
6 Solve for P \( \frac{37.5P}{100} - \frac{30P}{100} = 375 \implies \frac{7.5P}{100} = 375 \implies P = \frac{37500}{7.5} = 5000 \)

Revision Table: Simple Interest Concepts

Term Definition Formula
Principal (P) The initial amount of money invested or borrowed. -
Rate (R) The percentage at which interest is calculated per annum. -
Time (T) The duration for which the money is invested or borrowed, usually in years. -
Simple Interest (SI) Interest calculated only on the principal amount. \( \text{SI} = \frac{P \times R \times T}{100} \)
Amount (A) The total sum after adding interest to the principal. \( A = P + \text{SI} \)

Additional Information: Simple vs. Compound Interest

It's important to distinguish between simple interest and compound interest, although this problem specifically uses simple interest.

  • Simple Interest: As seen in this problem, simple interest is calculated only on the original principal amount. The interest earned in each period is constant if the principal and rate remain the same.
  • Compound Interest: In compound interest, the interest earned in each period is added to the principal for the next period's calculation. This means interest is earned on both the original principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods. The formula for compound interest is \( A = P(1 + \frac{R}{100})^T \), where \(A\) is the amount after \(T\) years. Compound interest grows faster than simple interest over time.

Understanding which type of interest is being used is crucial for solving problems correctly.

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Similar Questions

  1. Rs. 750 invested for 3 months gave an interest of Rs. 18. What was the simple rate of interest per annum?

  2. At 6% simple interest per annum a sum of money became Rs. 834 in \(6\frac{1}{2}\) years. The sum initially invested was:

  3. At 5% simple interest per annum a certain sum yields a total amount of ₹2,790 at the end of 3\(\frac{1}{4}\) years. The sum invested was:

  4. Saathi deposited Rs. 825 in a bank that promised 8% simple interest per annum. If Saathi kept the money with the bank for 5 years, she will earn an interest of:

  5. Rs. x invested at 8% simple interest per annum for 5 years yields the same interest as that on Rs. y invested at 7.5% simple interest per annum for 6 years. Find x : y.

  6. x invested at 9% simple interest per annum for 5 years yields the same interest as that on  y invested at 7.5% simple interest per annum for 4 years. Find x  y.
  7. What will be the difference between the compound interest and simple interest on a sum of Rs. 100 at 10% per annum for 2 years?

  8. A sum of money invested for 2 years and 9 months at the rate of 8% simple interest per annum became Rs. 732 at the end of the period. What was the sum that was initially invested?

  9. The interest earned on Rs. 2250 at the rate 3% simple interest per annum for 2 years will be:

  10. Rahi deposited Rs. 700 in a bank that promised 6% simple interest per annum. If Rahi kept the money with the bank for 5 years, she will earn an interest of:


Important Questions from Simple Interest

  1. How much time will it take for an amount of Rs. 450 to yield Rs. 81 as interest at 4.5% per annum of simple interest ?

  2. Nirav and Mehul borrowed Rs.4000 and Rs.5000 respectively for 2.5 years at the rate of x% per annum. Mehul paid Rs 125 more interest than Nirav. Find x.

  3. If the interest on a sum of Rs.1200 is more than the interest on Rs.1000 by Rs.120 in three years, then what is the rate of interest per annum?.

  4. The difference between the simple interest received from two banks on Rs. 500 for two years is Rs. 2.50. What is the difference between their rates?

  5. A sum of Rs.1200 becomes Rs.1560 at a rate of simple interest in 3 years. In how many years will the sum of Rs.800 amount to Rs.1120 at the same rate of simple interest?

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