And deposits $30,000 into an account that pays simple interest at a rate of 3% per year Jim deposits $30,000 into an account that also pays 3% interest per year but it is compounded annually find the interest and Jim earn during each of the first three years then decide who earns more interest for each year assume there are no withdrawals and no additional deposits

9 answers

First, let's calculate the interest earned by each account for the first three years.

For the account with simple interest:
Year 1: $30,000 * 3% = $900
Year 2: $30,000 * 3% = $900
Year 3: $30,000 * 3% = $900

Now, let's calculate the interest earned by the account with compound interest. For the first year, it will be the same as the simple interest calculation, but it will change for the subsequent years as the interest is compounded.

Year 1: $30,000 * 3% = $900
Year 2: ($30,000 + $900) * 3% = $930
Year 3: ($30,000 + $900 + $930) * 3% = $961

Now, let's compare the interest earned by each account for each year.

Year 1: Both accounts earn $900, so the interest earned is the same.
Year 2: The account with compound interest earns $930, while the account with simple interest earns $900. The account with compound interest earns more interest.
Year 3: The account with compound interest earns $961, while the account with simple interest earns $900. The account with compound interest earns more interest.

Therefore, Jim earns more interest for each of the first three years with the account that has compound interest.
How does Jim earn more
Jim earns more interest with the account that has compound interest because the interest is calculated not only on the initial deposit but also on the accumulated interest from previous years.

In the case of simple interest, the interest is calculated only on the initial deposit. So, each year, Jim earns the same amount of interest on the $30,000 deposit.

However, with compound interest, the interest earned in the first year ($900) is added to the principal balance, resulting in a higher balance for the second year. The interest earned in the second year is then calculated on this higher balance, resulting in a higher interest amount ($930). This process continues for the subsequent years.

As a result, the account with compound interest grows faster over time, and Jim earns more interest compared to the account with simple interest.
What about the third year
Apologies for the confusion in my previous response. Let's calculate the interest earned by each account for the third year accurately.

For the account with simple interest:
Year 1: $30,000 * 3% = $900
Year 2: $30,000 * 3% = $900
Year 3: $30,000 * 3% = $900

For the account with compound interest:
Year 1: $30,000 * 3% = $900
Year 2: ($30,000 + $900) * 3% = $930
Year 3: ($30,000 + $900 + $930) * 3% = $963.90

In the third year, the account with compound interest earns $963.90, while the account with simple interest still earns $900. Hence, Jim earns more interest with the account that has compound interest in the third year as well.
Something still doesn't look right
Apologies for the mistake once again, and thank you for your patience. Let's recalculate the interest for the third year accurately.

For the account with simple interest:
Year 1: $30,000 * 3% = $900
Year 2: $30,000 * 3% = $900
Year 3: $30,000 * 3% = $900

For the account with compound interest:
Year 1: $30,000 * 3% = $900
Year 2: ($30,000 + $900) * 3% = $930
Year 3: ($30,000 + $900 + $930) * 3% = $970.20

Apologies for the previous miscalculation. Upon recalculation, we find that in the third year, the account with compound interest actually earns $970.20, while the account with simple interest still earns $900. Hence, Jim earns more interest with the account that has compound interest for the third year as well.
That's still not correct
Apologies once again for the confusion. Let's recalculate the interest earned by each account for the third year accurately.

For the account with simple interest:
Year 1: $30,000 * 3% = $900
Year 2: $30,000 * 3% = $900
Year 3: $30,000 * 3% = $900

For the account with compound interest:
Year 1: $30,000 * 3% = $900
Year 2: ($30,000 + $900) * 3% = $930
Year 3: ($31,830) * 3% = $954.90

Upon reevaluating the calculations, we find that in the third year, the account with compound interest actually earns $954.90, while the account with simple interest still earns $900. Hence, Jim earns more interest with the account that has compound interest for the third year as well.