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10 Dec 2025

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Understanding Compound and Simple Interest: Revision Notes

Understanding how money grows over time is crucial for making smart financial decisions. There are two main ways... Show more

Compound interest
โ€ข Compound interest focuses on the
interest in the money saved and how
much interest you make.
Equation: amount = amount X

Compound Interest Basics

Ever wondered how your savings account balance seems to grow faster each year? That's compound interest at work โ€“ it's literally money making money!

Unlike simple interest, compound interest doesn't just calculate earnings on your original amount. Instead, it calculates interest on your original money PLUS all the interest you've already earned. This creates a snowball effect that makes your money grow exponentially.

The formula is Amount = Principal ร— Multiplier^n wheren=numberoftimeperiodswhere n = number of time periods. The multiplier is simply 1 + the interest rate as a decimal. So if you have 6% interest, your multiplier becomes 1.06 โ€“ the "1" represents your original money, and the "0.06" is the additional 6% you're earning.

Quick Tip Always convert percentages to decimals first, then add 1 to get your multiplier!

Compound interest
โ€ข Compound interest focuses on the
interest in the money saved and how
much interest you make.
Equation: amount = amount X

Compound Interest Example

Let's see compound interest in action with Sally's ยฃ1500 at 6% interest over 3 years. First, convert 6% to 0.06, then add 1 to get the multiplier of 1.06.

The calculation becomes ยฃ1500 ร— 1.06ยณ = ยฃ1786.52. Notice how we raise 1.06 to the power of 3 because the money compounds for 3 years.

Here's what's brilliant about this each year, Sally earns interest not just on her original ยฃ1500, but on all the interest from previous years too. Year 1 she earns interest on ยฃ1500, but by year 3 she's earning interest on over ยฃ1685!

Remember The power (exponent) always equals the number of time periods your money is invested.

Compound interest
โ€ข Compound interest focuses on the
interest in the money saved and how
much interest you make.
Equation: amount = amount X

Simple Interest Made Simple

Simple interest is much more straightforward โ€“ you only ever earn interest on your original investment amount, never on the interest itself. Think of it as a flat rate that never changes.

Using Aleesha's example ยฃ1000 at 5% simple interest for 2 years. The method shown breaks it down find 1% of ยฃ1000 (which is ยฃ10), then multiply by the interest rate 5ร—ยฃ10=ยฃ50peryear5 ร— ยฃ10 = ยฃ50 per year, then multiply by the number of years ยฃ50ร—2=ยฃ100totalinterestยฃ50 ร— 2 = ยฃ100 total interest.

So Aleesha gets her original ยฃ1000 back plus ยฃ100 interest, making ยฃ1100 total. With simple interest, she'd earn exactly ยฃ50 every single year โ€“ no more, no less.

Key Difference Simple interest = same amount each year. Compound interest = increasing amount each year!

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Where can I download the Knowunity app?

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because itโ€™s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโ€™t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโ€™m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ฒ๐Ÿค‘๐Ÿ’—โœจ๐ŸŽ€๐Ÿ˜ฎ

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because itโ€™s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโ€™t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโ€™m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ฒ๐Ÿค‘๐Ÿ’—โœจ๐ŸŽ€๐Ÿ˜ฎ

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

ย 

Maths

โ€ข

404

โ€ข

10 Dec 2025

โ€ข

3 pages

Understanding Compound and Simple Interest: Revision Notes

Understanding how money grows over time is crucial for making smart financial decisions. There are two main ways interest works: compound interest (where your interest earns more interest) and simple interest (where only your original amount earns interest).

Compound interest
โ€ข Compound interest focuses on the
interest in the money saved and how
much interest you make.
Equation: amount = amount X

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

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Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Compound Interest Basics

Ever wondered how your savings account balance seems to grow faster each year? That's compound interest at work โ€“ it's literally money making money!

Unlike simple interest, compound interest doesn't just calculate earnings on your original amount. Instead, it calculates interest on your original money PLUS all the interest you've already earned. This creates a snowball effect that makes your money grow exponentially.

The formula is: Amount = Principal ร— Multiplier^n wheren=numberoftimeperiodswhere n = number of time periods. The multiplier is simply 1 + the interest rate as a decimal. So if you have 6% interest, your multiplier becomes 1.06 โ€“ the "1" represents your original money, and the "0.06" is the additional 6% you're earning.

Quick Tip: Always convert percentages to decimals first, then add 1 to get your multiplier!

Compound interest
โ€ข Compound interest focuses on the
interest in the money saved and how
much interest you make.
Equation: amount = amount X

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Compound Interest Example

Let's see compound interest in action with Sally's ยฃ1500 at 6% interest over 3 years. First, convert 6% to 0.06, then add 1 to get the multiplier of 1.06.

The calculation becomes: ยฃ1500 ร— 1.06ยณ = ยฃ1786.52. Notice how we raise 1.06 to the power of 3 because the money compounds for 3 years.

Here's what's brilliant about this: each year, Sally earns interest not just on her original ยฃ1500, but on all the interest from previous years too. Year 1 she earns interest on ยฃ1500, but by year 3 she's earning interest on over ยฃ1685!

Remember: The power (exponent) always equals the number of time periods your money is invested.

Compound interest
โ€ข Compound interest focuses on the
interest in the money saved and how
much interest you make.
Equation: amount = amount X

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Simple Interest Made Simple

Simple interest is much more straightforward โ€“ you only ever earn interest on your original investment amount, never on the interest itself. Think of it as a flat rate that never changes.

Using Aleesha's example: ยฃ1000 at 5% simple interest for 2 years. The method shown breaks it down: find 1% of ยฃ1000 (which is ยฃ10), then multiply by the interest rate 5ร—ยฃ10=ยฃ50peryear5 ร— ยฃ10 = ยฃ50 per year, then multiply by the number of years ยฃ50ร—2=ยฃ100totalinterestยฃ50 ร— 2 = ยฃ100 total interest.

So Aleesha gets her original ยฃ1000 back plus ยฃ100 interest, making ยฃ1100 total. With simple interest, she'd earn exactly ยฃ50 every single year โ€“ no more, no less.

Key Difference: Simple interest = same amount each year. Compound interest = increasing amount each year!

We thought youโ€™d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help โ€“ all at your fingertips.

3

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: โœ“ 50+ Practice Questions โœ“ Interactive Flashcards โœ“ Full Mock Exam โœ“ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Most popular content in Maths

Most popular content

English - inspector calls quotes and analysis

Quotes from every main character

English LiteratureEnglish Literature
10

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us โ€” and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because itโ€™s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโ€™t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโ€™m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ฒ๐Ÿค‘๐Ÿ’—โœจ๐ŸŽ€๐Ÿ˜ฎ

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because itโ€™s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโ€™t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโ€™m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ฒ๐Ÿค‘๐Ÿ’—โœจ๐ŸŽ€๐Ÿ˜ฎ

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user