= $97.50
Using the discount method, the finance charge is the same dollar amount as that obtained with
the simple interest method. However, the finance charges are subtracted first from the amount
requested, and then the borrower receives what’s left, or the proceeds. Using the same setup as in
the example above:
Amount requested – interest = loan proceeds received
$1,000 – $97.50 = $902.50
The real difference between these two loans is shown when you compute the APR:
Average annual finance charge
Average loan balance outstanding
APR for the simple interest method is calculated by dividing the finance charge by the life of the
loan and then dividing this annual charge by the loan balance ($1,000 in our example).
APR = ($97.50/1.5) = $65 = 6.5%
$1000 $1,000
The APR for the discount method is found in a similar manner:
APR = ($97.50/1.5) = $65 = 7.2%
$1,000 – $112.50 $902.50
7. Comparing the costs of single-payment discount and simple interest loans. Chris Jenkins
needs to borrow $4,000. First State Bank will lend her the money for 12 months through a
single-payment loan at 8 percent, discount; Home Savings and Loan will make her a
$4,000, single-payment, 12-month loan at 10 percent, simple interest. From where should
Kristin borrow the money? Explain.
First State Bank: $4,000 * 8% = $320 interest; net proceeds $4,000 – 320 = $3,680
APR = $320 / $3,680 = 8.7%
Home Savings and Loan: $4,000 * 10% = $400 interest; proceeds = $4,000
APR = $400 / $4,000 = 10%
First State Bank is the better loan—lower interest rate.
8. Todd Kowalski is borrowing $10,000 for five years at 7 percent. Payments are made on a
monthly basis, which are determined using the add-on method.
a. How much total interest will Chris pay on the loan if it is held for the full five-year term?
Add-on = $10,000 * 7% * 5 years = $3,500, the total interest.
b. What are Chris’s monthly payments?