lollar. 3. Suppose that you decide to borrow \( \$ 25,000 \) for a new car. You can select one of the following loans, each requiring regular monthly payments: Installment Loan A: three-year loan at \( 1.9 \% \) Installment Loan B: five-year loan at \( 2.4 \% \), a. Find the monthly payments and the total interest for Loan A. b. Find the monthly payments and the total interest for Loan B. c. Compare the monthly payments and the total interest for the two loans.
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To find the monthly payments and total interest for both loans, we can use the formula for an installment loan, which is given by: \[ M = P \times \frac{r(1+r)^n}{(1+r)^n-1} \] Where: - \( M \) = monthly payment - \( P \) = principal amount (loan amount) - \( r \) = monthly interest rate in decimal - \( n \) = total number of payments (months) **For Loan A:** - Principal \( P = 25,000 \) - Annual interest rate = \( 1.9\% \) → Monthly rate \( r = \frac{1.9\%}{12} = \frac{0.019}{12} \approx 0.001583 \) - Total payments \( n = 3 \times 12 = 36 \) Calculating the monthly payment: \[ M_A = 25000 \times \frac{0.001583(1+0.001583)^{36}}{(1+0.001583)^{36}-1} \approx 730.25 \] Calculating total payment and total interest: \[ \text{Total Payment}_A = M_A \times n = 730.25 \times 36 \approx 26,309 \] \[ \text{Total Interest}_A = \text{Total Payment}_A - P \approx 26,309 - 25,000 \approx 1,309 \] **For Loan B:** - Annual interest rate = \( 2.4\% \) → Monthly rate \( r = \frac{2.4\%}{12} = \frac{0.024}{12} \approx 0.002 \) - Total payments \( n = 5 \times 12 = 60 \) Calculating the monthly payment: \[ M_B = 25000 \times \frac{0.002(1+0.002)^{60}}{(1+0.002)^{60}-1} \approx 440.58 \] Calculating total payment and total interest: \[ \text{Total Payment}_B = M_B \times n = 440.58 \times 60 \approx 26,435 \] \[ \text{Total Interest}_B = \text{Total Payment}_B - P \approx 26,435 - 25,000 \approx 1,435 \] **Comparison:** - Loan A monthly payment: **$730.25**, Total Interest: **$1,309** - Loan B monthly payment: **$440.58**, Total Interest: **$1,435** So, Loan A has higher monthly payments but lower total interest compared to Loan B. --- Think about how financing a car doesn't just come down to monthly payments; it's also about how much you end up paying overall. Budgeting for the monthly cost is essential, but total interest accrued over time is one of those sneaky factors that can really catch you off guard. So, while a lower monthly payment might seem appealing, the total cost of the loan can tell a very different story! And here's a fun fact: Did you know that the average American car loan lasts about 72 months? That's 6 years—long enough for a car to become...well, a bit of a clunker! So choosing wisely between loan options not only helps you save money but also can make a significant difference in your vehicular happiness for years to come. Happy car hunting!