04 Try it yourself Interactive

The multiples multiply

Choose what the money becomes and over how long, then how many spans to stack. The console raises the multiple to that power and shows, alongside it, what simple interest would have given over the same time — so the divergence between the two rules is visible rather than asserted. The rate is computed last, and only because you might be asked for it.

Doubles in 5 years, over 2 spans
4× in 10 yr · SI would give 3×
The final stat compares against simple interest. Push the span count up and watch the two answers separate dramatically.
Press Next to work through it one step at a time.
Multiple–
Total years–
CI multiple–
SI would give–
step 0 / 0