Study for the AICP exam with the Planetizen AICP Test. Master concepts with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the present value today of $500,000 due four years from now at a 10% discount rate?

The present value concept uses time value of money: money today is worth more than the same amount in the future, so to find today’s value of a future sum you discount it back. For a lump-sum, present value = Future amount / (1 + r)^t. Here, Future amount is 500,000, the annual discount rate r is 0.10, and the time t is 4 years. (1 + r)^t = (1.10)^4 = 1.4641. So the present value = 500,000 / 1.4641 ≈ 341,530. Thus the present value today is about 341,530.

The present value concept uses time value of money: money today is worth more than the same amount in the future, so to find today’s value of a future sum you discount it back. For a lump-sum, present value = Future amount / (1 + r)^t.

Here, Future amount is 500,000, the annual discount rate r is 0.10, and the time t is 4 years. (1 + r)^t = (1.10)^4 = 1.4641. So the present value = 500,000 / 1.4641 ≈ 341,530.

Thus the present value today is about 341,530.