Comparing Simple And Compound Interest Calculators?

Answer 1

An interest calculator is an electronic/web-based formula that calculates things like how much interest is payable on a principal debt, what monthly interest payments will be and what percentage of any monthly payment on a debt will be allocated towards interest payable.

There are two types of interest calculators: Simple and compound. The difference between simple and compound interest is fairly easy to understand, and, while simple interest is calculated on the principal debt only, compound interest is calculated on the principal debt plus the interest already accrued as at the date of the interest calculation.

Given the basic difference between the two types of interest, it stands to reason that there will be two different calculators: one for gross simple interest payable and one for gross compound interest payable. In order to calculate the total interest payable, the simple interest calculator will use factors like the amount of the principal debt - the total amount borrowed - the interest percentage offered by the bank or credit union and the number of years the account holder wants to pay the debt off in. The compound interest calculators, on the other hand, while also making use of factors like the number of years needed to pay off the debt and the interest rate, will, when calculating the gross compound interest payable, use, as a total debt, the principal debt plus interest accrued to date instead of just the principal debt. Another factor that must be taken into account when using a compound interest calculator is how many times a year the interest will be compounded, which can be translated as "how many times a year will the interest amount be added to the principal debt to create the gross principal debt on which further interest will be charged".

Simple and compound interest calculators can be used to calculate the interest payable on all types of debts. They are, however, most often utilized by mortgage loan companies and auto finance companies when customers are contemplating purchasing a house or a car in order to determine what their total debt - principal plus interest - will be.