Interest and Discount

When interest i is paid at the end of the period, the accumulation function is:

  a(t) = (1 + i)t

When discount d is paid at the beginning of the period, the accumulation function is:

  a(t) = (1 - d)-t
   
Interest:
  1 1 + i
    | ________________ ________________ |  
   
Discount:        1 - d 1  

The first important relation is found by accumulating 1 - d:

  (1 - d)(1 + i) = 1     This is the important identity  a-1(t)a(t) = 1
v = 1 - d The discount factors are equal
d = 1 - v  

The second important relation is:

  (1 - d)(1 + i) = 1 - d + i(1 - d) = 1
d = i(1 - d)
d = iv                 Discount-amount equals discounted interest-amount

The third important relation compares the events depicted in the above diagram:

  d = i(1 - d) = i - id
i - d = id             Difference in earnings equals interest-rate times difference in principal

As an alternative method, accumulate 1 in separate portions of 1 - d and d:

  [(1 - d) + d](1 + i) = 1 + i
1 + d(1 + i) = 1 + i
v + d = 1
d = 1 - v The first relation
 
1 + d(1 + i) = 1 + i
d(1 + i) = i Accumulated discount-amount equals interest-amount
d = iv The second relation
 
d(1 + i) = i Accumulated discount-amount equals interest-amount
d + id = i
i - d = id             The third relation

Dividing the third relation by id yields:

  1  -  1  = 1  
     
d i  

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