2. Time Value of Money
2. TIME VALUE OF MONEY Objectives: After reading this chapter, you should be able to 1. Understand the concept of compounding and discounting. 2. Calculate the present value, or the future value of a single payment, or a series of payments. 3. See the effect of monthly, daily, or continuous compounding, or discounting. 2.1 Video 02A, Single Payment Problems Suppose someone offers you to have $1000 today, or to receive it a year from now. You would certainly opt to receive the money right away. A dollar in hand today is worth more than a dollar you expect to receive a year from now. There are several reasons why this is so. First, you can invest the money and make it grow. For example, in July 2009, the rate of interest paid by leading banks for a one-year certificate of deposit was 2%. This means you can get the $1000 today, invest it, and earn $20 on it by next year. There is very little risk in this investment. Second, there is the risk of inflation that eats away the purchasing power of the dollar. The rate of inflation in USA has been rather low recently, less than 1%, but in some other countries, it has been much higher. Still you will need more than $1 next year to buy what one dollar can buy today. Third, there is an element of risk in this deal. If you receive the money today, you are sure to have it in your pocket. On the other hand, the person who is promising you the money may not be around next year, or he may change his mind.
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