
Successive Compound Interest Formula with Step by Step Solved Examples
Successive compound interest is a very powerful mathematical concept. This section introduces the concept of successive compound interest, and how it works in practice. This is a two-part article. The first part explains how compound interest works and the second part explains how it is calculated. In this article, we explain the concept of compound interest and its calculation. We also discuss the effect of compound interest on a person's lifetime income. We will also look at the mathematical successive compound interest formula, as well as its application in advanced mathematics.
Successive Compound Interest Formula
Here, we'll go through how to apply the variable rate of the compound interest formula. If the rate of compound interest for subsequent/consecutive years is different $(r_1 \%, r_2 \%, r_3 \%, r_4 \%$, etc.), then:
$\mathrm{A}=\mathrm{P}\left(1+\dfrac{r_1}{100}\right)\left(1+\dfrac{r_2}{100}\right) \quad\left(1+\dfrac{r_3}{100}\right)$
Where,
$r_1, r_2, r_3 \ldots \ldots . .=$ Rates for successive compound interest
$A=$ Amount
$\mathrm{P}=$ Principal
Amount in Compound Interest
The interest that is paid on both principal and interest and is compounded regularly is known as compound interest. The interest is calculated for the new principal at regular intervals when the accumulated interest and the current principal are combined. The initial principal plus the interest that has already accrued make up the new principal.
Compound Interest = Compounded Interest at Regular Intervals + Interest on Principal
The Formula of Amount in Compound Interest
Here mainly the formula of the amount in compound interest is given, which is as follows:
Compound Interest = Compounded Interest at Regular Intervals + Interest on Principal
$\mathrm{A}=\mathrm{P}\left(1+\dfrac{r}{n}\right)^{nt}$
Compound Interest $=\mathrm{P}\left(1+\dfrac{r}{n}\right)^{nt}-\mathrm{P}$
Here,
A = Amount in Compound Interest
P= Principal in Compound Interest
r= Rate of Compound Interest
n= Times interest Compounded annually
t = The overall tenure
Solved Examples of How to Find Rate in Compound Interest
Here are some examples, which mainly help us in understanding how to find the rate in compound interest in a better way:
Example- When the interest rate is 2% per year, what will the compound interest be on Rs. 2000 after two years compounded annually?
Ans: Given us, r= 2%, t= 2 years, P = 2000 rs.
$A=P\left(1+\dfrac{r}{n}\right)^{nt}$
$A=2000\left(1+\dfrac{2}{100}\right)^2$
A = 2000( 1.0404)
A= 2080.8 Rs
Compound Interest= A - P
= 2080.8- 2000
= 80.8 Rs
Thus the compound interest gained is 80.8 Rs.
Example- When the interest rate is 1% per year, what will the compound interest be on Rs. 1000 after 3 years?
Ans: Given us, r= 1%, t= 3 years, P= 1000 Rs.
$A=P\left(1+\dfrac{r}{n}\right)^{nt}$
$A=1000\left(1+\dfrac{1}{100}\right)^3$
A = 1000( 1.030301)
A= 1030.301 Rs.
Compound Interest= A - P
= 1030.301- 1000
=30.301 Rs
Thus the compound interest gained is 30.301 Rs.
Example- When the interest rate is 4 % per year, what will the compound interest be on Rs. 400 after 2 years compounded annually?
Ans: Given us, r= 4%, t= 2 years, P= 400 Rs.
$A=P\left(1+\dfrac{r}{n}\right)^{nt}$
$A=400\left(1+\dfrac{4}{100}\right)^2$
$A=400(1.04)^2$
$A=432.64 \mathrm{Rs}$
Compound Interest= A-P
= 432.64- 400
= 32.64 Rs
Thus the compound interest gained is 32.64 Rs.
Example- Mr. Kamal lent Rs. 2000 at compound interest of $10 \%$ per annum for 1 st year and $20 \%$ per annum for 2 nd year. What will be the total amount Mr. Kamal will have to pay after 2 years?
Ans: Given values, $P=R s .2000, R_1=10 \%, R_2=20 \%, n=2$ years, then
$A=P\left(1+\dfrac{R_1}{100}\right) \times\left(1+\dfrac{R_2}{100}\right)$
$A=2000\left(1+\dfrac{10}{100}\right) \times\left(1+\dfrac{20}{100}\right)$
$A=2000\left(\dfrac{11}{10}\right) \times\left(\dfrac{6}{5}\right)$
$A=2000 \times \dfrac{66}{50}=R s. 2640$
Practice Questions of Amount in Compound Interest
Here are some practice questions, which mainly help to understand successive compound interest formula in a better way:
Q1. When the interest rate is 1% per year, what will the compound interest be on Rs. 450 after 2 years compounded annually?
Ans: 9.045 Rs.
Q2. When the interest rate is 3% per year, what will the compound interest be on Rs. 950 after 1 year compounded annually?
Ans: 28.5 Rs.
Q3. When the interest rate is 5% per year, what will the compound interest be on Rs. 600 after 3 years compounded annually?
Ans: 94.575 Rs.
Q4. When the interest rate is 4% per year, what will the compound interest be on Rs. 1000 after 4 years compounded annually?
Ans: 169.858 Rs.
Q5. When the interest rate is 6% per year, what will the compound interest be on Rs. 920 after 2 years compounded annually?
Ans: 113.712 Rs.
Summary
Successive Compound interest is a very important concept in mathematics. It is the first of the three fundamental methods of financial mathematics and is used to calculate the growth rate of an amount. The topic of this chapter is compound interest, its calculation formula, and its applications in mathematics. This chapter also explains what compound interest is and how it is calculated and applied to mathematics. Some simple examples along with some practice questions, based on compound interest are discussed in this chapter.
FAQs on Successive Compound Interest Explained with Concept and Applications
1. What is successive compound interest?
Successive compound interest is the interest calculated repeatedly on the updated amount when different rates are applied one after another over different time periods. In this method, the amount after each period becomes the new principal for the next period.
- Interest is added after each period.
- Each new rate is applied to the updated amount.
- Used when interest rates change year by year.
2. What is the formula for successive compound interest?
The formula for successive compound interest is A = P(1 + r₁/100)(1 + r₂/100)(1 + r₃/100)..., where each rate applies for one period.
- P = Principal
- r₁, r₂, r₃ = successive interest rates
- A = Final amount
3. How do you calculate successive compound interest step by step?
To calculate successive compound interest, multiply the principal by each growth factor one after another.
- Step 1: Convert each rate into a multiplier, such as (1 + r/100).
- Step 2: Multiply the principal by the first multiplier.
- Step 3: Multiply the result by the next multiplier.
- Step 4: Subtract principal from final amount to get interest.
4. Can you give an example of successive compound interest?
An example of successive compound interest is when ₹2000 is invested at 5% for the first year and 10% for the second year.
- Year 1 amount = 2000 × 1.05 = 2100
- Year 2 amount = 2100 × 1.10 = 2310
5. What is the difference between compound interest and successive compound interest?
The main difference is that compound interest usually uses the same rate for all periods, while successive compound interest uses different rates for different periods.
- Compound interest: A = P(1 + r/100)n
- Successive compound interest: A = P(1 + r₁/100)(1 + r₂/100)...
6. How do you find the net percentage change in successive percentage increase?
The net percentage change for two successive increases r₁% and r₂% is r₁ + r₂ + (r₁r₂)/100.
- This formula comes from multiplying (1 + r₁/100)(1 + r₂/100).
- Example: 10% and 20% → 10 + 20 + (10×20)/100 = 30 + 2 = 32%.
7. How do you handle successive increase and decrease in compound interest problems?
Successive increase and decrease are handled by multiplying growth and reduction factors sequentially.
- Increase of r% → multiply by (1 + r/100)
- Decrease of r% → multiply by (1 − r/100)
8. What is the total compound interest in successive compounding?
The total compound interest in successive compounding is CI = A − P, where A is found using successive multipliers.
- First calculate final amount using A = P(1 + r₁/100)(1 + r₂/100)...
- Subtract the original principal.
9. Can successive compound interest be negative?
Yes, successive compound interest can result in a net decrease if one or more rates are negative (loss or depreciation).
- Negative rate means multiply by (1 − r/100).
- Used in depreciation or loss calculations.
10. Where is successive compound interest used in real life?
Successive compound interest is used in real life when financial rates change over time, such as investments, loans, and inflation adjustments.
- Variable interest rate bank deposits
- Stock market growth over different years
- Depreciation of assets
- Inflation-based price changes





















