If your inital investment is $1000, and your rate of return is say 10%, did you make $100 or $1100 from your $1000?

Answer 1

The interest is your return, 100 dollars in the first year.

Answer 2

0.1 * 1,000 = ?

That's what you'll make on your investment.

Of course you'll also get the principle back as well as the interest.

Answer 3

Is it certain that you will get the principle back for every kind of investment?

Answer 4

No. When you invest in junk bonds or stocks you are not guaranteed that you'll get all of your initial investment back.