Simple Interest
Percents
What is Simple Interest?
I = PRT is a formula to figure out the cost of borrowing money or the amount you earn when you put money in a savings account.
I = Interest
P = Principal - How much you invest or borrow
R = Rate - Percentage
T = Time - In years, if months make it a decimal or make a fraction over 12
Example
You want to buy a used car. You borrow $11,000 you need from the bank. The bank will charge you interest on the $11,000. If the simple interest rate is 4% for six years, you can figure the cost of the interest with this formula.
I = $11,000 x 4% x 6 years
I = $11,000 x 0.04 (convert to decimal) x 6 (always want years)
I = $2,640
Example
Bobby borrowed $700 to buy a television from his parents. His parents charged 3% simple interest for 3 months. How much interest did he pay his parents?
I = $700 x 3% x 3 months
I = $700 x 0.03 (convert to decimal) x 3/12 or 1/4 (If in months, put number over 12)
I = $5.25
Practice?
For some practice, visit the next site in the Google Drive!