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

Surekha borrowed a sum of money and returned it in two equal annual installments of Rs. 5,547 each. If the rate of interest was \(7 \frac{1}{2}\%\)  p.pa compounded yearly, then the total interest paid by her was:

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2019 (Tier 2) GS Finance & Economics Previous Year Paper (17-Nov-2020)
The correct answer is

Rs. 1,134

Understanding the Compound Interest Installment Problem

This question asks us to calculate the total interest paid on a sum of money borrowed, which is returned in two equal annual installments. The key concepts here are compound interest and loan repayment through installments. When a loan is repaid through installments, each installment includes a part of the principal and the interest accrued on the outstanding principal for that period.

To find the total interest paid, we first need to determine the original sum of money borrowed (the principal). We can do this by calculating the present value of each installment. The present value of an amount is the value today of money to be received or paid in the future, discounted at a specific interest rate.

Calculating the Present Value of Installments

The formula for the present value (PV) of an amount \(I\) received or paid \(n\) years from now, with an interest rate \(r\) compounded annually, is:

\[PV = \frac{I}{(1+r)^n}\]

In this problem:

  • Each installment amount (\(I\)) is Rs. 5,547.
  • The interest rate (\(r\)) is \(7 \frac{1}{2}\%\) p.a., which is \(7.5\%\) or 0.075 in decimal form.
  • There are two annual installments. The first is paid after 1 year (\(n=1\)), and the second is paid after 2 years (\(n=2\)).

Present Value of the First Installment

The first installment of Rs. 5,547 is paid at the end of the first year. Its present value is:

\[PV_1 = \frac{5547}{(1+0.075)^1} = \frac{5547}{1.075}\]

Calculating the value:

\(PV_1 = 5160\)

The present value of the first installment is Rs. 5,160.

Present Value of the Second Installment

The second installment of Rs. 5,547 is paid at the end of the second year. Its present value is:

\[PV_2 = \frac{5547}{(1+0.075)^2} = \frac{5547}{(1.075)^2}\]

First, calculate \((1.075)^2\):

\((1.075)^2 = 1.075 \times 1.075 = 1.155625\)

Now, calculate \(PV_2\):

\[PV_2 = \frac{5547}{1.155625}\]

Calculating the value:

\(PV_2 = 4800\)

The present value of the second installment is Rs. 4,800.

Determining the Principal Borrowed

The total principal borrowed is the sum of the present values of all the installments.

Principal (\(P\)) = \(PV_1 + PV_2\)

\(P = 5160 + 4800\)

\(P = 9960\)

So, the sum of money borrowed was Rs. 9,960.

Calculating the Total Amount Paid

The total amount paid back is the sum of the two annual installments.

Total Paid = Number of installments \(\times\) Installment amount

Total Paid = \(2 \times 5547\)

Total Paid = \(11094\)

The total amount paid back by Surekha was Rs. 11,094.

Calculating the Total Interest Paid

The total interest paid is the difference between the total amount paid back and the principal borrowed.

Total Interest = Total Paid - Principal Borrowed

Total Interest = \(11094 - 9960\)

Total Interest = \(1134\)

The total interest paid by Surekha was Rs. 1,134.

Summary of Calculations

Installment Amount Rs. 5,547
Number of Installments 2
Rate of Interest \(7.5\%\) p.a.
Present Value of 1st Installment Rs. 5,160
Present Value of 2nd Installment Rs. 4,800
Principal Borrowed Rs. 9,960
Total Amount Paid Rs. 11,094
Total Interest Paid Rs. 1,134

Revision Table: Compound Interest Installments

Concept Description Formula Example (Annual Compounding)
Compound Interest Interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods. Amount \(A = P(1+r)^n\)
Installment Repayment Loan repaid in periodic equal payments over a set time. Each payment covers interest and reduces principal. Installment = Principal / (Sum of Present Value Factors)
Present Value (PV) The current value of a future sum of money given a specified rate of return. \(PV = \frac{FV}{(1+r)^n}\)

Additional Information: Loan Amortization

The process of paying off a debt over time through regular payments is called amortization. In loan amortization with equal installments, the amount of interest decreases with each payment because the principal outstanding decreases. Conversely, the portion of the payment applied towards reducing the principal increases over time. While we calculated the total interest here by finding the principal first, a detailed amortization schedule would show how each installment is split between interest and principal reduction.

Understanding the present value concept is crucial in financial calculations, including valuing investments, calculating loan payments, and determining the true cost of borrowing when payments are spread over time. The interest rate acts as the discount rate when calculating present values. A higher interest rate leads to a lower present value of a future sum.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. A loan is to be returned in two equal yearly instalments. If the rate of interest is 10% p.a., compounded annually and each instalment is Rs. 6534, then the total interest charged (in Rs.) is:

  2. A loan has to be returned in two equal yearly instalments each of Rs. 44,100. If the rate of interest is 5% p.a compounded annually, the total interest paid is:

  3. A loan is to be returned in two equal yearly instalments. If the rate of interest is 10% p.a., compounded annually, and each instalment is Rs. 5,808, then the total interest charged in this scheme is:

  4. A sum of Rs. 4,620 is to be paid back in 2 equal annual instalments. How much is each instalment (in Rs.) if the interest is compounded annually at 10% per annum?

  5. A certain loan was returned in two equal half - yearly instalments each of Rs. 6,760. If the rate of interest was 8% p.a., compounded yearly, how much was the interest paid on the loan?

  6. What annual instalment will discharge a debit of ₹5,664 in 4 years at 12% simple interest?

  7. A sum of Rs. P was borrowed and paid back in two equal yearly instalments, each of Rs. 35,280. If the rate of interest was 5% compounded annually, then the value of P is:

  8. What annual installment will discharge a debt of Rs. 9,600 due in 5 years at 10% simple interest?

  9. A person borrowed ₹2,000 at 5% annual simple interest repayable in 3 equal annual installments. What will be the annual installment?

  10. Rajnish borrowed ₹1,500 from a bank and repaid the entire amount with interest in two equal annual instalments, the first instalment being paid a year after Rajnish borrowed from the bank. If the rate of interest was 40% per annum, compounded annually, then what was the value (in ₹) of each instalment paid by Rajnish?


Important Questions from Installments

  1. A computer is available for Rs. 39,000 on cash payment or Rs. 19,000 as cash payment followed by five monthly instalments of Rs. 4,200 each. What is the rate of interest per annum under the instalment plan?

  2. What is the amount (in Rs.) of debt that will be discharged in 6 equal instalments of Rs. 800 each, if the debt is due in 6 years at 5% per annum?

  3. A sum of Rs. P was borrowed and paid back in two equal yearly instalments, each of Rs. 35,280. If the rate of interest was 5% per annum and interest is compounding annually, then the value of P is ________.

  4. A loan of Rs. 1,50,000 is availed with compound interest rate of 10% per annum for two years compounded annually. It is to be paid in equal yearly installments, and the installment is to be paid at the end of each year. The value of the equal yearly installment is : (Rounded off to two places of decimal)

  5. A computer is available for ₹75,300 cash or for ₹25,740 cash down payment and two equal half-yearly instalments. If the dealer charges interest at 20% p.a., compounded half-yearly, then the total interest to be paid by a customer who buys it in instalment scheme is:
Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
SSC CGL
September 30, 2026
UPSSSC PET
October 23, 2026
Test Series
SSC CGL img
SSC
SSC CGL (Tier I + Tier II) 2026 Mock Test Series - Latest Pattern
2503 Tests 6 Tests Free
5466 Attempts
4.2(868)
English, Hindi

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