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SSC CHSL Compound Interest

Study Material — 3 PYQs (2018–2018) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts

SSC CHSL Compound Interest is a frequently tested subtopic — 3 previous year questions from 2018–2018 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.

3 PYQs
2018–2018
26 Practice
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10 Key Points
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Previous Year Questions

SSC CHSL Compound Interest — Past Exam Questions

3 questions from actual SSC CHSL papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution

Exam Q 12018Previous Year Pattern

What is the compound interest on ₹8,000 at 10% per annum for 2 years, compounded annually?

Exam Q 22018Previous Year Pattern

Rajesh invested ₹8,000 in a bank at 10% per annum compound interest, compounded annually. After 2 years, he withdrew half of the amount. The remaining amount was kept for another 1 year at the same rate. What is the final amount with Rajesh?

Exam Q 32018Previous Year Pattern

A sum of money becomes ₹9,680 after 2 years at 10% per annum compound interest. If the same sum is invested at 12% per annum simple interest for 3 years, what will be the total interest earned?

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.

1
Step 1

Let principal = P, rate = R%

2
Step 2

After 2 years: P(1 + R/100)² = 13,230

3
Step 3

After 3 years: P(1 + R/100)³ = 15,214.50

4
Step 4

Divide equation 2 by equation 1: (1 + R/100) = 15,214.50/13,230 = 1.15

5
Step 5

Therefore, R/100 = 0.15, so R = 15%

6
Step 6

Substitute in equation 1: P(1.15)² = 13,230

7
Step 7

P × 1.3225 = 13,230

8
Step 8

P = 13,230/1.3225 = Rs. 10,000

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'
  • Effective annual rate for half-yearly compounding = (1 + R/200)² - 1
  • For small rates, approximate CI ≈ SI + (SI × R × T)/(200)
  • Population growth/decay and depreciation follow compound interest formula
Practice MCQs

Compound Interest — Practice Questions

26graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis · showing 20 of 26

All MCQs →
Practice 1easy

₹5,000 becomes ₹6,050 in 2 years at compound interest compounded annually. What is the rate of interest per annum?

Practice 2easy

What is the compound interest on ₹4,000 at 5% per annum for 2 years, compounded annually?

Practice 3easy

At what rate per annum will ₹8,000 amount to ₹9,261 in 3 years at compound interest?

Practice 4easy

A sum of ₹8,000 is invested at 10% per annum compound interest. What will be the amount after 2 years?

Practice 5easy

₹6,400 becomes ₹7,776 in 2 years at compound interest. What is the rate per annum?

Practice 6easy

A principal amount becomes ₹10,800 after 2 years at 20% per annum compound interest. What was the principal?

Practice 7easy

A sum of ₹5,000 is invested at 10% per annum compound interest. What will be the amount after 2 years?

Practice 8easy

A principal of ₹10,000 is invested at 8% per annum compound interest. What is the compound interest earned in 2 years?

Practice 9easy

A sum of ₹12,000 is invested at 5% per annum compound interest compounded annually. What will be the amount after 3 years?

Practice 10easy

What is the compound interest on ₹20,000 at 10% per annum for 2 years, compounded annually?

Practice 11medium

A sum of money becomes ₹9,680 after 2 years at 10% per annum compound interest. What was the principal amount?

Practice 12medium

₹5,000 becomes ₹6,050 in 2 years at compound interest. What is the rate of interest per annum?

Practice 13medium

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 14medium

A sum of money becomes ₹13,310 after 3 years at 10% per annum compound interest. What was the principal?

Practice 15medium

A bank offers 8% compound interest per annum. If ₹6,250 is deposited, what will be the total amount after 2 years? (Assume interest is compounded annually)

Practice 16medium

The difference between compound interest and simple interest on ₹10,000 for 2 years at 5% per annum is ₹X. Find X.

Practice 17medium

The compound interest on ₹5,000 for 3 years at 8% per annum is how much more than the simple interest for the same period?

Practice 18medium

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 19medium

₹12,000 is invested at 5% per annum compound interest. After 2 years, ₹5,000 is withdrawn. The remaining amount continues to earn interest at the same rate. What is the total amount after 4 years from the initial investment?

Practice 20hard

A principal amount doubles itself in 5 years at compound interest. In how many years will it become 8 times at the same rate of interest?

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60-Second Revision — Compound Interest

  • Formula: A = P(1 + R/100)^T, CI = A - P
  • Remember: Half-yearly = R/2 and 2T, Quarterly = R/4 and 4T
  • Shortcut: CI - SI for 2 years = P(R/100)²
  • Trap: Never confuse compounding frequency - adjust both rate and time
  • Trick: Rate = [(Next year amount / Current year amount) - 1] × 100
  • Pattern: Population and depreciation questions use CI formula
  • Quick check: CI should always be greater than SI for same P, R, T
←Simple InterestDifference SI vs CI→
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