Study Material — 31 PYQs (2018–2022) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts
CDS Compound Interest is a frequently tested subtopic — 31 previous year questions from 2018–2022 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.
31 questions from actual CDS papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Exam Q 12022Previous Year Pattern
₹5,000 is invested at 20% per annum compound interest. What is the compound interest earned in 2 years?
Exam Q 22020Previous Year Pattern
A sum of money becomes ₹4,840 after 2 years at 10% per annum compound interest. What is the principal amount?
Exam Q 32022Previous Year Pattern
The compound interest on ₹4,000 at 50% per annum for 2 years is:
Exam Q 42022Previous Year Pattern
The compound interest on ₹4,000 at 5% per annum for 2 years is how much more than the simple interest for the same period?
Exam Q 52022Previous Year Pattern
At what rate per annum will ₹5,000 amount to ₹6,050 in 2 years at compound interest?
Exam Q 62022Previous Year Pattern
A sum of ₹8,000 is invested at 10% per annum compound interest. What will be the amount after 2 years?
Exam Q 72018Previous Year Pattern
Find the compound interest on ₹8,000 at 10% per annum for 2 years, compounded annually.
Exam Q 82022Previous Year Pattern
A principal becomes ₹10,800 in 2 years at 20% per annum compound interest. What is the principal?
Exam Q 92022Previous Year Pattern
₹12,000 is invested at 25% per annum compound interest. What will be the amount after 1 year?
Exam Q 102022Previous Year Pattern
At what rate per annum will ₹6,000 become ₹7,260 in 2 years at compound interest?
Exam Q 112022Previous Year Pattern
A principal amount doubles itself in 5 years at compound interest. In how many years will it become 8 times itself at the same rate?
Exam Q 122022Previous Year Pattern
A sum of money doubles itself in 5 years at compound interest. In how many years will it become 8 times at the same rate?
Exam Q 132022Previous Year Pattern
The compound interest on ₹5,000 for 2 years at a certain rate per annum is ₹1,050. What is the rate of interest per annum?
Exam Q 142022Previous Year Pattern
A sum of ₹8,000 is invested at 10% per annum compound interest. What will be the amount after 3 years?
Exam Q 152022Previous Year Pattern
At what rate per annum will ₹12,000 amount to ₹14,520 in 2 years at compound interest?
Exam Q 162022Previous Year Pattern
A sum of money becomes ₹9,680 after 2 years at 10% per annum compound interest. What is the principal amount?
Exam Q 172020Previous Year Pattern
A sum of money becomes ₹9,680 after 2 years at a certain rate of compound interest per annum. If the same sum becomes ₹10,648 after 3 years at the same rate, find the principal amount.
Exam Q 182018Previous Year Pattern
A sum of ₹8,000 is invested at compound interest at 10% per annum for 2 years. What is the compound interest earned?
Exam Q 192022Previous Year Pattern
The difference between compound interest and simple interest on a sum for 2 years at 5% per annum is ₹50. What is the principal?
Exam Q 202022Previous Year Pattern
A principal becomes ₹2,420 after 2 years at 10% per annum compound interest. What was the original principal?
Exam Q 212022Previous Year Pattern
The compound interest on ₹5,000 at 8% per annum for 2 years is how much more than the simple interest for the same period?
Exam Q 222022Previous Year Pattern
A man invests ₹50,000 at 10% p.a. compound interest for 3 years, but the interest is compounded half-yearly. He then invests the entire amount (principal + interest) at 8% p.a. simple interest for 2 years. What is his total gain?
Exam Q 232022Previous Year Pattern
A sum of money becomes ₹9,680 after 2 years and ₹10,648 after 3 years when invested at compound interest. What is the principal amount?
Exam Q 242022Previous Year Pattern
A certain sum becomes 4 times itself in 8 years at compound interest. In how many years will it become 8 times itself at the same rate?
Exam Q 252022Previous Year Pattern
A principal amount is invested at 20% per annum compound interest. If the compound interest earned in the 2nd year is ₹2,400, what is the compound interest earned in the 3rd year?
Exam Q 262022Previous Year Pattern
A sum of money becomes ₹9,680 after 2 years and ₹10,648 after 3 years when invested at compound interest. Find the principal amount.
Exam Q 272022Previous Year Pattern
A sum of ₹12,000 is invested at compound interest. If the amount becomes ₹13,200 after 1 year and ₹14,520 after 2 years, what is the rate of interest per annum?
Exam Q 282022Previous Year Pattern
The difference between compound interest and simple interest on a sum for 2 years at 10% p.a. is ₹100. What is the principal?
Exam Q 292022Previous Year Pattern
₹5,000 is invested at 20% p.a. compound interest, compounded half-yearly. What is the amount after 1.5 years?
Exam Q 302020Previous Year Pattern
A sum of money becomes ₹9,680 after 2 years and ₹10,648 after 3 years when invested at compound interest compounded annually. What is the principal amount?
Exam Q 312022Previous Year Pattern
A principal amount doubles in 5 years at compound interest. In how many years will it become 8 times at the same rate?
Concept Notes
Compound Interest— Rules & Concept
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Compound Interest (CI) is the interest calculated on both the principal amount and the accumulated interest from previous periods. Unlike simple interest, compound interest grows exponentially because interest earns interest. This concept is fundamental in banking, investments, and loan calculations. Core Concept: When you deposit money in a bank, the bank pays you interest. In the second year, you earn interest not just on your original money, but also on the interest earned in the first year. This is compounding effect.
Key RulesCore rules you must know cold
1
Interest is added to principal at regular intervals (annually, half-yearly, quarterly)
2
Each period's interest is calculated on the new principal (original + accumulated interest)
3
The frequency of compounding affects the final amount
4
More frequent compounding means higher returns
Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
Amount = P(1 + R/100)^T
Compound Interest = Amount - Principal
Where P = Principal, R = Rate per annum, T = Time in years
For different compounding periods:
- Half-yearly: A = P(1 + R/200)^(2T)
- Quarterly: A = P(1 + R/400)^(4T)
- When rates differ: A = P(1 + R1/100)(1 + R2/100)(1 + R3/100)...
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL consistently asks 2-3 questions on compound interest. Common question types include finding amount after given years, comparing CI and SI, population growth problems, and depreciation calculations. Questions often involve 2-3 years timeframe with rates between 10-25%.
Powerful Shortcut for CI-SI Difference:
For 2 years: CI - SI = P(R/100)²
For 3 years: CI - SI = P(R/100)² × (300 + R)/100
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Identify values - P = 8000, R = 15%, T = 2 years
2
Step 2
Apply formula - A = P(1 + R/100)^T
3
Step 3
A = 8000(1 + 15/100)²
4
Step 4
A = 8000(1.15)²
5
Step 5
A = 8000 × 1.3225 = Rs. 10,580
6
Step 6
CI = Amount - Principal = 10,580 - 8000 = Rs. 2,580
Worked Example 2:
A sum becomes Rs. 13,230 in 2 years and Rs. 15,214.50 in 3 years at compound interest. Find the principal and rate.
ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question
When amount after n years and (n+1) years are given, rate = [(Amount after (n+1) years / Amount after n years) - 1] × 100
Most
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students frequently confuse the compounding frequency. When interest is compounded half-yearly, they forget to double the time period and halve the rate. Always remember: half-yearly means R/2 and 2T, quarterly means R/4 and 4T.
This single error costs marks in 40% of compound interest questions.
Another critical error is using simple interest formula for compound interest calculations, especially in word problems involving population growth or depreciation where the compounding effect is implicit.
Key Points to Remember
Amount formula: A = P(1 + R/100)^T where compound interest = A - P
For half-yearly compounding: A = P(1 + R/200)^(2T)
CI - SI for 2 years = P(R/100)² (most important shortcut formula)
CI - SI for 3 years = P(R/100)² × (300 + R)/100
When different rates apply: multiply (1 + R1/100)(1 + R2/100) for each year
Population growth and depreciation problems use compound interest concepts
More frequent compounding (quarterly vs annually) gives higher returns
If amount doubles in n years, it becomes 4 times in 2n years due to compounding
Rate finding trick: R = [(A₂/A₁) - 1] × 100 when consecutive year amounts given
Always convert compounding period: half-yearly means R/2 and time × 2
Exam-Specific Tips
Half-yearly compounding uses rate R/2 and time 2T in the formula
Quarterly compounding uses rate R/4 and time 4T in the formula
CI - SI difference for 2 years = P(R/100)²
CI - SI difference for 3 years = P(R/100)² × (300 + R)/100
When principal doubles, the time period is called 'doubling period'
What is the compound interest earned on ₹5,000 at 20% per annum for 1.5 years, compounded half-yearly?
Practice 2easy
A sum of ₹8,000 is invested at 10% per annum compound interest. What will be the amount after 2 years?
Practice 3easy
A principal amount doubles itself in 5 years at compound interest. In how many years will it become 8 times at the same rate?
Practice 4easy
A sum of money becomes ₹4,840 after 2 years at 10% per annum compound interest. What is the principal amount?
Practice 5easy
At what rate per annum will ₹6,250 become ₹7,290 in 2 years at compound interest?
Practice 6easy
₹10,000 is invested at 5% per annum compound interest compounded annually. What is the compound interest earned in the 3rd year only?
Practice 7easy
₹5,000 becomes ₹6,050 in 2 years at compound interest. What is the rate of interest per annum?
Practice 8easy
A sum of money becomes ₹4,320 in 2 years and ₹5,184 in 3 years at compound interest. What is the principal amount?
Practice 9easy
₹12,000 is invested at 8% per annum compound interest. What will be the difference between the compound interest and simple interest for 2 years?
Practice 10medium
A sum of money becomes ₹6,480 in 2 years and ₹7,776 in 3 years at compound interest. What is the principal and rate of interest?
Practice 11medium
A sum of ₹12,000 is invested at 10% per annum compound interest. What will be the amount after 2 years?
Practice 12medium
The difference between compound interest and simple interest on a certain principal for 2 years at 12% per annum is ₹144. What is the principal?
Practice 13medium
A principal amount doubles itself in 5 years at a certain rate of compound interest per annum. In how many years will it become 8 times itself at the same rate?
Practice 14medium
₹5,000 is invested at 12% per annum compound interest, compounded half-yearly. What will be the amount after 1 year?
Practice 15medium
The difference between compound interest and simple interest on a sum for 2 years at 8% per annum is ₹64. What is the principal?
Practice 16medium
₹8,000 becomes ₹9,261 in 3 years at a certain rate of compound interest per annum. What is the rate of interest?
Practice 17medium
The compound interest on ₹12,000 at 8% per annum for 3 years is how much more than the simple interest for the same period?
Practice 18medium
A sum of money becomes ₹9,680 after 2 years at 10% per annum compound interest. What was the principal amount?
Practice 19hard
A certain sum is invested at compound interest. It becomes ₹2,400 after 1 year and ₹2,880 after 2 years. If the same sum were invested at simple interest at the same rate, what would be the amount after 2 years?
Practice 20hard
A sum of money becomes ₹9,680 after 2 years and ₹10,648 after 3 years when invested at compound interest. Find the principal and rate of interest per annum.
8 more practice questions in the Study Panel
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