What values do I enter for N, PMT, i/y, FV and PV on a finance calculator to solve for the question below.

If you are willing to pay $47,698.00 today to receive $4,887.00 per year forever then your required rate of return must be ____%. Assume the first payment is received one year from today.

1 answer

To solve the problem, we're dealing with a perpetuity. The value of a perpetuity can be calculated using the formula:

\[ PV = \frac{PMT}{r} \]

Where:

  • \( PV \) = Present Value (Amount you pay today)
  • \( PMT \) = Payment received each period (perpetuity payment)
  • \( r \) = Required rate of return (as a decimal)

Given:

  • \( PV = 47,698 \)
  • \( PMT = 4,887 \)

We want to solve for \( r \): \[ r = \frac{PMT}{PV} \]

Now substituting the given values:

\[ r = \frac{4,887}{47,698} \]

Calculating \( r \):

\[ r = 0.102646 \text{ or } 10.26% \]

Now, if you wish to use a finance calculator and input values directly, typically for solving for the rate of return, you'd use the following inputs:

  • \( N \) (Number of periods): Use a very large number (many calculators might allow you to skip this for perpetuity problems)
  • \( PMT \) (Payment): \( 4,887 \)
  • \( i/y \) (Interest rate): Will be solved
  • \( FV \) (Future Value): \( 0 \) (since it’s a perpetuity, we do not consider the future value)
  • \( PV \) (Present Value): \( -47,698 \) (it’s entered as a negative because it’s cash outflow when you pay for the investment)

In summary:

  • \( N \): can often be left blank for perpetuity or a large number
  • \( PMT \): 4,887
  • \( i/y \): Solve for this
  • \( FV \): 0
  • \( PV \): -47,698

After inputting these values, use the “compute” feature for \( i/y \) to find the required rate of return. It should reflect approximately \( 10.26% \).