Question : Barbara had to pay $3976 in order to furnish the loan taken 3 years before. If the rate of simple interest was 4% then find the sum borrowed.
Correct Answer $3550
Solution & Explanation
Solution
Given,
Amount (A) = $3976
Rate of Simple Interest (R) = 4%
Time (T) = 3 years
Thus, Principal (P) = ?
Method (1) Using Formula
Calculation of the Principal using forumula when Amount, Time and Rate of Simple Interest are given
Formula to find the Principal (P)
Amount (A) = Principal (P) + Principal (P) × Rate (R) × Time (T)
⇒ Amount (A) = Principal (P) [1 + Rate (R) × Time (T)]
⇒ A = P (1 + RT)
Using the formula to find the Amount (A), the fourth can be calculated if any three of A, P, R, and T are given
In the given question, we need to find the Principal (P)
Therefore, by substituting, Amount, Rate, and Time, in the formula A = P (1 + RT) we get
$3976 = P (1 + 4% × 3)
⇒ $3976 = P (1 + 4/100 × 3)
⇒ $3976 = P (1 + 4 × 3/100)
⇒ $3976 = P (1 + 12/100)
⇒ $3976 = P (100 + 12/100)
⇒ $3976 = P × 112/100
⇒ P × 112/100 = $3976
⇒ P = 3976/112/100
⇒ P = 3976 × 100/112
⇒ P = 3976 × 100/112
⇒ P = 397600/112
⇒ P = $3550
Thus, the sum borrowed (P) = $3550 Answer
Method (1) Using Unitary Method
Calculation of the Principal using unitary method when Amount, Time and Rate of Simple Interest are given
Calculation of the Simple Interest
Let, the principal = 100
Here, since rate of simple interest = 4% per annum
Thus, Interest = 4% of principal
⇒ Interest = 4% of 100 = 4
Thus, Simple Interest for 1 year = 4
Calculation of the Amount
Since, in the question, time = 3 years
So, we need to calculate the simple interest for the given time period, which is 3 years
Thus, Simple Interest for 3 years = 3 × Simple Interest for 1 year
= 3 × 4 = 12
Thus, simple interest for 3 years = 12
Thus, Amount (A) = Principal + Interest
⇒ Amount = 100 + 12 = 112
Calculation of the Principal
Now,
∵ If the Amount is 112, then the Principal = 100
∴ If the Amount is 1, then the Principal = 100/112
∴ If the Amount is 3976, then the Principal = 100/112 × 3976
= 100 × 3976/112
= 397600/112
= 3550
Thus, Principal = $3550
Thus, the sum borrowed = $3550 Answer
Similar Questions
(3) Calculate the amount due if Mary borrowed a sum of $3050 at 4% simple interest for 3 years.
(5) Calculate the amount due if John borrowed a sum of $3200 at 2% simple interest for 4 years.
(10) Calculate the amount due if William borrowed a sum of $3500 at 8% simple interest for 4 years.