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Multiple Choice
Which of the following formulas would most likely represent the present value of an ordinary annuity factor, where $r$ is the interest rate per period and $n$ is the number of periods?
A
$\dfrac{1}{(1 + r)^n}$
B
$\dfrac{(1 + r)^n - 1}{r}$
C
$(1 + r)^n$
D
$\dfrac{1 - (1 + r)^{-n}}{r}$
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of an ordinary annuity. An ordinary annuity is a series of equal payments made at the end of each period over a specified number of periods. The present value of an ordinary annuity represents the current worth of these future payments, discounted at a specific interest rate.
Step 2: Recall the formula for the present value of an ordinary annuity. The formula is derived by summing the present values of each individual payment in the series. The general formula is: \( PV = \sum_{t=1}^{n} \frac{C}{(1 + r)^t} \), where \( C \) is the payment amount, \( r \) is the interest rate per period, and \( n \) is the number of periods.
Step 3: Simplify the summation formula into a compact expression. Using mathematical techniques, the summation can be expressed as \( PV = \frac{1 - (1 + r)^{-n}}{r} \). This formula accounts for the discounting effect of the interest rate over \( n \) periods.
Step 4: Compare the given options to the derived formula. The correct formula for the present value of an ordinary annuity factor is \( \frac{1 - (1 + r)^{-n}}{r} \), which matches the last option provided in the problem.
Step 5: Verify the reasoning. The other options do not represent the present value of an ordinary annuity factor. For example, \( \frac{1}{(1 + r)^n} \) represents the present value of a single payment made at the end of \( n \) periods, and \( \frac{(1 + r)^n - 1}{r} \) represents the future value of an ordinary annuity.