What Is Amount of One Per Period?

Understanding the Compound Amount of One Per Period: Formula, Examples, and Applications

The term “Amount of One Per Period” or “Compound Amount of One Per Period” refers to the future value of a single unit of currency invested at a specific interest rate, compounded over multiple periods. This concept is a fundamental aspect of financial mathematics, especially in the realms of investments and interest calculations.

Formula and Calculation

The compound amount of one per period can be calculated using the formula:

$$ A = P \left(1 + \frac{r}{n}\right)^{nt} $$

Where:

• \( A \) is the amount of money after \( t \) periods.
• \( P \) is the principal amount (initial investment).
• \( r \) is the annual nominal interest rate (as a decimal).
• \( n \) is the number of times the interest is compounded per year.
• \( t \) is the time the money is invested or borrowed for, in years.

When \( P = 1 \), the formula simplifies to:

$$ A = \left(1 + \frac{r}{n}\right)^{nt} $$

Types of Compounding

Annual Compounding

Annual compounding occurs when the interest is compounded once per year (\( n = 1 \)). The formula reduces to:

$$ A = \left(1 + r\right)^t $$

Semi-Annual Compounding

Semi-annual compounding happens twice a year (\( n = 2 \)). The formula becomes:

$$ A = \left(1 + \frac{r}{2}\right)^{2t} $$

Quarterly Compounding

Quarterly compounding refers to compounding four times a year (\( n = 4 \)). The formula is:

$$ A = \left(1 + \frac{r}{4}\right)^{4t} $$

Monthly Compounding

Monthly compounding occurs twelve times a year (\( n = 12 \)). The calculation is:

$$ A = \left(1 + \frac{r}{12}\right)^{12t} $$

Example

To illustrate the concept, consider an initial investment of $1 at an annual interest rate of 5% compounded quarterly for 10 years.

Using the simplified formula:

$$ A = \left(1 + \frac{0.05}{4}\right)^{4 \times 10} $$

Calculating inside the parentheses first:

$$ A = \left(1 + 0.0125\right)^{40} = \left(1.0125\right)^{40} $$

The final calculation gives:

$$ A \approx 1.6436 $$

So, the compound amount of one per period, in this case, would be approximately 1.6436.

Special Considerations

• Interest Rate: The rate at which interest is compounded significantly affects the future value.
• Compounding Frequency: The more frequently interest is compounded, the higher the future value.
• Time Period: Longer investment periods result in a greater compounded amount.

Applications

• Investment Analysis: Determining the future value of investments.
• Loan Amortization: Calculating the total amount payable over the loan period.
• Savings Planning: Estimating the compound growth of savings over time.

Historical Context

The concept of compounding dates back centuries, with early references found in Babylonian texts. The mathematical foundations were further developed during the Renaissance by mathematicians like Luca Pacioli and later expanded by financial theorists such as Benjamin Graham.

Applicability

• Personal Finance: Planning retirement or saving for significant purchases.
• Corporate Finance: Assessing the returns on long-term projects.
• Banking: Structuring interest-bearing accounts and loans.

Comparisons

• Simple Interest: Interest calculated only on the principal amount, without compounding.
• Continuous Compounding: Interest is compounded continuously, leading to the formula \( A = Pe^{rt} \).

Related Terms

• Effective Annual Rate (EAR): The annual equivalent rate considering compounding.
• Present Value (PV): The current value of a future sum of money.
• Annuity: A series of equal payments at regular intervals.

FAQs

How does the compounding frequency affect the amount?

Higher compounding frequencies lead to a higher future value due to interest being calculated and added more often.

What is the difference between nominal and effective interest rates?

The nominal rate is the stated rate, while the effective rate accounts for the effects of compounding.

References

1. Pacioli, Luca. “Summa de arithmetica, geometria, proportioni et proportionalità.” 1494.
2. Graham, Benjamin. “The Intelligent Investor.” 1949.
3. Ross, Stephen A., Randolph W. Westerfield, and Jeffrey Jaffe. “Corporate Finance.” 10th Edition.

Summary

The “Amount of One Per Period” or “Compound Amount of One Per Period” is a critical concept in financial mathematics, reflecting the future value of one unit of currency invested at a compounded interest rate. Its applications are vast, ranging from personal savings to corporate finance, and understanding it is essential for anyone involved in investment and financial planning.