All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

At 8% simple interest per annum a sum of money becomes Rs. 300 in \(2\frac{1}{2}\) years. What was the 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. 250

Calculating Principal Amount with Simple Interest

The problem asks us to find the original sum of money invested, also known as the principal amount, given the final amount received after a certain period at a specific simple interest rate. This is a classic simple interest calculation problem.

Understanding Simple Interest Concepts

Simple interest is calculated only on the initial principal amount. The formula for simple interest (SI) is:

\( \text{SI} = \frac{\text{Principal} \times \text{Rate} \times \text{Time}}{100} \)

The total amount (A) received at the end of the period is the sum of the principal (P) and the simple interest (SI):

\( \text{A} = \text{P} + \text{SI} \)

Given Information

We are provided with the following details:

  • Amount (A) = Rs. 300
  • Rate of Interest (R) = 8% per annum
  • Time (T) = \(2\frac{1}{2}\) years

Let's convert the time into a decimal for easier calculation:

\( \text{T} = 2\frac{1}{2} \text{ years} = 2.5 \text{ years} \)

We need to find the Principal (P).

Step-by-Step Calculation of Principal

We know that \( \text{A} = \text{P} + \text{SI} \). We can substitute the formula for SI into this equation:

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

Now, let's plug in the given values:

\( 300 = \text{P} + \frac{\text{P} \times 8 \times 2.5}{100} \)

Simplify the term in the numerator:

\( 8 \times 2.5 = 20 \)

Substitute this back into the equation:

\( 300 = \text{P} + \frac{20\text{P}}{100} \)

Simplify the fraction \( \frac{20}{100} \):

\( \frac{20}{100} = \frac{1}{5} \)

So the equation becomes:

\( 300 = \text{P} + \frac{\text{P}}{5} \)

Now, we can take P common from the right side of the equation:

\( 300 = \text{P} \left( 1 + \frac{1}{5} \right) \)

Combine the terms inside the parenthesis:

\( 1 + \frac{1}{5} = \frac{5}{5} + \frac{1}{5} = \frac{6}{5} \)

The equation is now:

\( 300 = \text{P} \left( \frac{6}{5} \right) \)

To find P, we need to isolate it. Multiply both sides by \( \frac{5}{6} \):

\( \text{P} = 300 \times \frac{5}{6} \)

Perform the multiplication:

\( \text{P} = \frac{300 \times 5}{6} \)

\( \text{P} = \frac{1500}{6} \)

\( \text{P} = 250 \)

So, the principal amount invested was Rs. 250.

Summary of Results

Parameter Value
Amount (A) Rs. 300
Rate (R) 8% p.a.
Time (T) 2.5 years
Principal (P) Rs. 250

The sum invested that becomes Rs. 300 at 8% simple interest in \(2\frac{1}{2}\) years is Rs. 250.

Revision Table: Simple Interest Formulas

Concept Formula Description
Simple Interest (SI) \( \text{SI} = \frac{\text{P} \times \text{R} \times \text{T}}{100} \) Interest earned only on the principal.
Amount (A) \( \text{A} = \text{P} + \text{SI} \) Total money after adding interest to the principal.
Principal (P) \( \text{P} = \frac{\text{SI} \times 100}{\text{R} \times \text{T}} \) Original amount invested or borrowed (derived from SI formula).
Principal (P) \( \text{P} = \frac{\text{A} \times 100}{100 + \text{R} \times \text{T}} \) Original amount when Amount, Rate, and Time are known.

Additional Information: Simple vs. Compound Interest

It's important to distinguish simple interest from compound interest. While simple interest is calculated only on the initial principal, compound interest is calculated on the principal amount and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods. This means compound interest grows much faster over time compared to simple interest for the same rate and principal.

  • Simple Interest: Interest calculation is straightforward and constant each period based on the original principal.
  • Compound Interest: Interest is added to the principal, and the next period's interest is calculated on this new, larger amount. This effect is often called "interest on interest."

Problems involving simple interest are typically easier as they follow a linear growth pattern for the interest earned.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. The simple interest earned on a certain sum of money for 3 years at 15% per annum is ₹2,700. Find the sum.

  2. A sum of money invested at simple interest amounts to ₹21,500 in 5 years and ₹26,000 in 8 years. Find the principal amount (in ₹).

  3. The interest earned on Rs. 1,600 at the rate of 5% simple interest per annum for 6 years would be:

  4. 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?

  5. At 9.5% simple interest per annum, a sum of money became Rs. 942 in 6 years. The sum invested initially was:

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

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

  8. At 12% simple interest per annum a sum of money becomes Rs. 295 in \(1\frac{1}{2}\) years. What was the sum invested?

  9. Rahi deposited Rs. 600 in a bank that promised 8% simple interest per annum. If Rahi kept the money with the bank for 5 years, she will earn an interest of:

  10. 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:


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?

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
RRB NTPC
September 27, 2026
Test Series
RRB ALP img
Railways
RRB ALP 2026 Mock Test series
1035 Tests 1 Tests Free
889 Attempts
4.3(235)
English, Hindi
More Questions from RRB ALP

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App