Need to graph out a monthly compound interest problem. Does anyone know the
formula to use for excel in computing this and graphing it?
APR: 9.45%
Per month: $1486.40
For 50 years
I presume you mean that you have a savings account into which you
deposit $1486.40 per month.
As for "the" formula, it depends on what you want to compute:
interest per month, cumulative interest monthly or account balance
monthly.
In any case, I think you will need to set up a spreadsheet with at
least 600 rows (12*50), then use the Chart Wizard to construct a graph
of whatever values you want to graph. Here are some columns that you
might want:
A: Date
B: Interest earned (on previous balance)
C: Deposit
D: Balance
E: Cumulative interest
A2: any date (say, 6/1/2007)
A3: =date(year(A2),1+month(A2),day(A2))
Copy down through A601
Alternatively: Enter the first two monthly dates, then drag
the pair of cells down using the handle in the lower right.
B2: leave empty
B3: =round(D2*(1+9.45%/12), 2)
or
=round(D2*(1+rate(12,0,-1,1+9.45%)), 2)
Copy down through B601
Note: You need to decide whether 9.45% is the (simple) nominal
rate (use 9.45%/12) or the (compounded) annual effective rate (use the
RATE(...)).
C2: 1486.40
C3: =C2
Copy down through C601
D2: =C2
D3: =B3+C3+D2
Copy down through D601
E2: leave empty
E3: =B3+E2
Copy down through E601