Author Message
TAGS:

### Hide Tags

Director
Status: Finally Done. Admitted in Kellogg for 2015 intake
Joined: 25 Jun 2011
Posts: 536
Location: United Kingdom
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V45
GPA: 2.9
WE: Information Technology (Consulting)
Followers: 75

Kudos [?]: 3058 [1] , given: 217

Marcus deposited $8,000 to open a new savings account that [#permalink] ### Show Tags 29 Feb 2012, 17:08 1 This post received KUDOS 3 This post was BOOKMARKED 00:00 Difficulty: 15% (low) Question Stats: 76% (02:11) correct 24% (01:31) wrong based on 444 sessions ### HideShow timer Statistics Marcus deposited$8,000 to open a new savings account that earned five percent annual interest, compounded semi-annually. If there were no other transactions in the account, what the amount of money in Marcuss account one year after the account was opened?

(A) $8,200 (B)$8,205
(C) $8,400 (D)$8,405
(E) $8,500 [Reveal] Spoiler: Guys - I know a very simple question. But, I am not getting the right answer. WHy? I am using A = P(1+R/200] $$^ 2n$$ A = 8000 (1+0.05/200) ^ 2 * 6/12 = > 40(200.05) ^ 1 = 8002. So where I have got this wrong? [Reveal] Spoiler: OA _________________ Best Regards, E. MGMAT 1 --> 530 MGMAT 2--> 640 MGMAT 3 ---> 610 GMAT ==> 730 Manager Joined: 03 Feb 2012 Posts: 56 Location: United States (WI) Concentration: Other Schools: University of Wisconsin (Madison) - Class of 2014 GMAT 1: 680 Q46 V38 GMAT 2: 760 Q48 V46 GPA: 3.66 WE: Marketing (Manufacturing) Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 27 [0], given: 12 Re: Compound Interest [#permalink] ### Show Tags 29 Feb 2012, 18:00 1 This post was BOOKMARKED This is a much simpler problem. I have never used exponents in calculating interest... Compounding period is half a year so R = 0.05 * 1/2 = 0.025 8000 * (1+ 0.025) = 8200 = total at 1/2 year 8200 * (1+ 0.025) = 8405 = total at year-end Shortcut = figure total at year end for annually compounding interest... 8000 * (1 + .05) = 8400. More frequent compounding results in ever-so-slightly increased totals so 8405 fits. Intern Joined: 24 Feb 2012 Posts: 33 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 15 [0], given: 18 Re: Compound Interest [#permalink] ### Show Tags 29 Feb 2012, 21:58 enigma123 wrote: A = 8000 (1+0.05/200) ^ 2 * 6/12 = > 40(200.05) ^ 1 = 8002. So where I have got this wrong? 8000 ( 1 + 5/200 )^(2*1) Math Expert Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 37038 Followers: 7233 Kudos [?]: 96159 [2] , given: 10707 Re: Compound Interest [#permalink] ### Show Tags 29 Feb 2012, 22:39 2 This post received KUDOS Expert's post 5 This post was BOOKMARKED Marcus deposited$8,000 to open a new savings account that earned five percent annual interest, compounded semi-annually. If there were no other transactions in the account, what the amount of money in Marcuss account one year after the account was opened?
(A) $8,200 (B)$8,205
(C) $8,400 (D)$8,405
(E) $8,500 There is indeed a formula to calculate final balance for compounded interest (check here: math-number-theory-percents-91708.html) though there are at least two shorter ways to solve this problem. Approach #1: 5 percent annual interest compounded semi-annually --> 2.5% in 6 moths. For the first 6 moths interest was 2.5% of$8,000, so $200; For the next 6 moths interest was 2.5% of$8,000, plus 2.5% earned on previous interest of $200, so$200+$5=$205;

Total interest for one year was $200+$205=$405, hence balance after one year was$8,000+ $405=$8,405.

Approach #2:
If the interest were compounded annually instead of semi-annually then in one year the interest would be 5% of $8,000, so$400. Now, since the interest is compounded semi-annually then there would be interest earned on interest (very small amount) thus the actual interest should be a little bit more than $400, only answer choice D fits. Answer: D. Hope it's clear. _________________ Math Expert Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 37038 Followers: 7233 Kudos [?]: 96159 [0], given: 10707 Re: Marcus deposited$8,000 to open a new savings account that [#permalink]

### Show Tags

28 May 2013, 05:31
Bumping for review and further discussion.
_________________
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 37038
Followers: 7233

Kudos [?]: 96159 [0], given: 10707

### Show Tags

30 May 2013, 00:37
rajasami4u wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
Marcus deposited $8,000 to open a new savings account that earned five percent annual interest, compounded semi-annually. If there were no other transactions in the account, what the amount of money in Marcuss account one year after the account was opened? (A)$8,200
(B) $8,205 (C)$8,400
(D) $8,405 (E)$8,500

There is indeed a formula to calculate final balance for compounded interest (check here: math-number-theory-percents-91708.html) though there are at least two shorter ways to solve this problem.

Approach #1:
5 percent annual interest compounded semi-annually --> 2.5% in 6 moths.

For the first 6 moths interest was 2.5% of $8,000, so$200;
For the next 6 moths interest was 2.5% of $8,000, plus 2.5% earned on previous interest of$200, so $200+$5=$205; Total interest for one year was$200+$205=$405, hence balance after one year was $8,000+$405=$8,405. Answer: D. Approach #2: If the interest were compounded annually instead of semi-annually then in one year the interest would be 5% of$8,000, so $400. Now, since the interest is compounded semi-annually then there would be interest earned on interest (very small amount) thus the actual interest should be a little bit more than$400, only answer choice D fits.

Hope it's clear.

Bunuel,

For all CI problems if the interest is given Annually and asked Quarterly or half yearly CI , then we can just divide the Percent according our need. Tats all?

Yes: 5 percent annual interest compounded semi-annually --> 2.5% in 6 moths.
_________________
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Posts: 13884
Followers: 589

Kudos [?]: 167 [0], given: 0

### Show Tags

16 Dec 2015, 06:26
Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
_________________
Re: Marcus deposited $8,000 to open a new savings account that [#permalink] 16 Dec 2015, 06:26 Similar topics Replies Last post Similar Topics: 8 If$500 is deposited into a savings account at an annual interest rate 9 12 Oct 2015, 21:26
4 Today Joelle opened an interest-bearing savings account and deposited 6 30 Dec 2014, 06:48
29 John deposited $10,000 to open a new savings account that 10 16 Jul 2012, 03:36 1 John deposits$5000 in a savings account for 5 years 3 12 Jan 2012, 17:41