Chapter 3

Consumer Mathematics: Savings and Investments, Credit and Debt

Simple interest on savings and the cost of credit and debt — with an interactive exercise.

Consumer mathematics deals with money — savings, investments, credit and debt.

Simple interest

$I = \frac{P \times R \times T}{100}$ where $P$ = principal, $R$ = rate (%), $T$ = time (years).

Example: RM1000 saved at 5% for 1 year earns $\dfrac{1000 \times 5 \times 1}{100} = \text{RM}50$ interest.

Remember

  • Interest $= \dfrac{P R T}{100}$.
  • Borrowing (credit) usually costs interest; saving earns it.

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