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Question

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?

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

Rs. 1

Understanding the Difference Between Compound Interest and Simple Interest

This question asks for the difference between the compound interest (CI) and the simple interest (SI) earned on a specific principal amount over a fixed period at a given annual interest rate.

Let's break down the calculation for both types of interest and then find the difference.

Given Information

  • Principal Amount (P) = Rs. 100
  • Rate of Interest (R) = 10% per annum
  • Time Period (T or n) = 2 years

Step-by-Step Calculation of Simple Interest (SI)

Simple interest is calculated only on the original principal amount. The formula for Simple Interest is:

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

Substituting the given values:

\(\text{SI} = \frac{100 \times 10 \times 2}{100}\)

\(\text{SI} = \frac{2000}{100}\)

\(\text{SI} = 20\)

So, the simple interest for 2 years is Rs. 20.

Step-by-Step Calculation of Compound Interest (CI)

Compound interest is calculated on the principal amount and also on the accumulated interest of previous years. The formula for the Amount (A) under Compound Interest is:

\(A = P \left(1 + \frac{R}{100}\right)^n\)

Where n is the number of years.

Substituting the given values:

\(A = 100 \left(1 + \frac{10}{100}\right)^2\)

\(A = 100 \left(1 + 0.1\right)^2\)

\(A = 100 \left(1.1\right)^2\)

\(A = 100 \times 1.21\)

\(A = 121\)

This is the total amount after 2 years, including the principal and the compound interest.

To find the Compound Interest (CI), we subtract the original principal from the amount:

\(\text{CI} = A - P\)

\(\text{CI} = 121 - 100\)

\(\text{CI} = 21\)

So, the compound interest for 2 years is Rs. 21.

Calculating the Difference (CI - SI)

The difference between the compound interest and the simple interest is:

\(\text{Difference} = \text{CI} - \text{SI}\)

\(\text{Difference} = 21 - 20\)

\(\text{Difference} = 1\)

The difference between the compound interest and the simple interest is Rs. 1.

Alternative Method: Direct Formula for 2 Years Difference

For a time period of 2 years, there is a direct formula to calculate the difference between compound interest and simple interest:

\(\text{CI} - \text{SI} = P \left(\frac{R}{100}\right)^2\)

Substituting the given values:

\(\text{CI} - \text{SI} = 100 \left(\frac{10}{100}\right)^2\)

\(\text{CI} - \text{SI} = 100 \left(\frac{1}{10}\right)^2\)

\(\text{CI} - \text{SI} = 100 \times \frac{1}{100}\)

\(\text{CI} - \text{SI} = 1\)

Using the direct formula also gives the difference as Rs. 1.

Calculation Value
Principal (P) Rs. 100
Rate (R) 10%
Time (T) 2 years
Simple Interest (SI) Rs. 20
Compound Interest (CI) Rs. 21
Difference (CI - SI) Rs. 1

Final Answer

The difference between the compound interest and simple interest on a sum of Rs. 100 at 10% per annum for 2 years is Rs. 1.

Revision Table: Compound vs Simple Interest

Feature Simple Interest (SI) Compound Interest (CI)
Calculation Basis Always on the original principal amount. On the principal amount plus accumulated interest from previous periods.
Interest Earned Linear growth. Same amount of interest is added each period. Exponential growth. Interest earned increases each period.
Formula (for 1 year) \(\frac{P \times R \times 1}{100}\) Same as SI for the first year.
Formula (for T years) \(\frac{P \times R \times T}{100}\) \(P\left[\left(1 + \frac{R}{100}\right)^T - 1\right]\)
Growth Type Arithmetic Progression Geometric Progression
Difference CI - SI Zero for 1 year. Positive for > 1 year (assuming R > 0). Zero for 1 year. Positive for > 1 year (assuming R > 0).

Additional Information on Interest Calculations

Understanding the difference between simple and compound interest is fundamental in finance and mathematics. Compound interest is often referred to as 'interest on interest'. This is why it grows faster than simple interest over time, especially for longer periods and higher interest rates.

  • Compounding Frequency: Compound interest can be calculated annually, semi-annually, quarterly, monthly, or even daily. The more frequent the compounding, the higher the effective annual rate and thus the higher the compound interest. The formula \(A = P \left(1 + \frac{R/k}{100}\right)^{nk}\) is used, where k is the number of times interest is compounded per year.
  • Rule of 72: A quick way to estimate how long it takes for an investment to double at a fixed annual rate (compounded annually) is to divide 72 by the interest rate. For example, at 10% compound interest, it would take approximately \(72 / 10 = 7.2\) years for the principal to double. This rule applies only to compound interest.
  • Applications: Simple interest is commonly used in short-term loans and basic calculations. Compound interest is used in most savings accounts, investments, mortgages, and loans over longer periods.

The difference between CI and SI highlights the power of compounding, where earning interest on previously earned interest significantly boosts the total return over time compared to earning interest only on the initial principal.

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Similar Questions

  1. 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?

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

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

  4. 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:

  5. 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:

  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. 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?

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

  9. 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:

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


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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