Continuous compounding uses Euler's number, $e=2.71828$, when interest is compounded at every instant.
$$F=Pe^{rn}$$
$$i_{eff}=e^r-1$$
Problem: CE Board May 2017
A savings bank offers long-term savings certificates at 7.5% per year, compounded continuously. If a 10-year certificate costs $1000, what will be its value at maturity?
$$F=1000e^{0.075(10)}=2117$$
Final answer: $2,117.
Problem: CE Board May 2015
What is the effective annual interest rate if the nominal rate is 14% compounded continuously?
$$i_{eff}=e^{0.14}-1=0.1503$$
Final answer: $15.03\%$.
Problem: CE Board Nov. 2015
If money is invested at a nominal rate of 8% for 4 years, what is the compound amount factor if compounded continuously?
$$e^{rn}=e^{0.08(4)}=1.377$$
Final answer: $1.377$.
Problem: Continuous Interest
Compute the interest on P200,000 for 8 years at 16% compounded continuously.
$$F=200000e^{0.16(8)}=719,328$$
$$I=F-P=719,328-200,000=519,328$$
Final answer: P519,328.
Exam Generator Problems
Additional board-style practice items for this topic.
CE Board May 2017 A savings bank offers long-term savings certificates at 7.5% per year, compounded continuously. If a 10-year certificate costs $1000, what will be its value at maturity?
Answer:
2117
2711
2217
2172
For continuous compounding: $F=Pe^{rt}$ $F=1000e^{0.075(10)}=1000e^{0.75}$ $\boxed{F\approx2117}$
CE Board November 2015 If money is invested at a nominal rate of interest of 8% for a period of 4 yrs, what is the
value of the compound amount factor if its compounded continuously?
Answer:
1.377
1.737
1.337
1.773
The continuous compound amount factor is: $F/P=e^{rt}$ $F/P=e^{0.08(4)}=e^{0.32}$ $\boxed{1.377}$
If you borrowed money from your friend with simple interest of 12%, find the present worth of P50 000, which is due at the end of 7 months.
P46 200
P44 893
P46 729
P45 789
Use simple interest present worth: $F=P(1+rt)$ Here $F=50{,}000$, $r=0.12$, and $t=7/12$ yr. $P=\frac{50{,}000}{1+0.12(7/12)}$ $P=\frac{50{,}000}{1.07}$ $\boxed{P\approx\text{P}46{,}729}$
Question Bank: t2103
MSTE - Engineering Economy / Continuous Compounding / Besavilla CE Pre-Board Math & Surveying
P100000 is deposited at a nominal rate of 7% compounded annually, for 5 years. What would be the difference in the sums at the end of 5 years if the interest were compounded continuously.