Barry Haworth
University of Louisville
Department of Economics
Economics 201


Finding Present Value


A present value calculation tells us how much future money is worth today. It is the opposite of asking what a sum of money is worth in a later period, after that money collects interest in an interest-bearing account. That is, a present value calculation is the inverse of a future value calculation.

Assume throughout this handout that interest is compounded annually (i.e. at the end of each year, $X becomes $X(1 + r)). Under this assumption, we calculate present value in one of two ways:


(a) PV of $X = $X/(1 + r)t
(b) PV = [$X1(1 + r)1] + [$X2/(1 + r)2] + ... + [$XN/(1 + r)N]

(a) is used when we are receiving $X in one future period. That is, (a) gives us the present value of $X collected after t years.

(b) is used when we receive a series of payments in different years. That is, (b) gives us the present value of collecting $X1 after 1 year, then $X2 after 2 years, etc.



Example I: Show me the money!
Bill has just learned that he has just inherited money in a time deposit that will provide him with $100 million when the account matures in two years. He is considering whether to withdraw this money today. The interest rate on the account is 8%. If there were no early withdrawal penalty, then how much would Bill get after withdrawing this money today?

PV of $100m = $100m/(1 + 0.08)2
PV of $100m = $85.7m

Bill would receive $85.7 million, if he makes an early withdrawal.



Example II: Who wants to be a "thousand-aire"?
Joan is a winning contestant on a game show and she must choose between three prizes. The first choice involves getting a $10,000 payment, but not until four years from now. The second involves receiving three $3,000 payments, one per year for the next three years. The third choice is that she receives $8,000 today. If all interest rates were equal to 10%, what should she choose?

In order to compare these three options, we must calculate the present value of each choice (note on choice 3 that the present value of receiving $8000 today is $8000).


Choice 1:
PV1 = $10000/(1 + 0.1)4
PV1 = $6830.14


Choice 2:
PV2 = [$3000/(1 + 0.1)1] + [$3000/(1 + 0.1)2] + [$3000/(1 + 0.1)3]
PV2 = $7460.56


Choice 3:
PV3 = $8000

Joan should choose to receive $8000 today.