To find the difference in present value (PV) between Investment A and Investment B, we analyze their cash flow timing and amounts, given:
- Both pay $10,000 annually for 17 years.
- Investment A pays at the beginning of each year (annuity due).
- Investment B pays at the end of each year (ordinary annuity), but skips the payment in year 17.
- Both have a 4% annual discount rate.
Step 1: Define the cash flows
- Investment A: $10,000 at the start of each year for 17 years.
- Investment B: $10,000 at the end of each year for 16 years (no payment in year 17).
Step 2: Present Value formulas
- Annuity due (payments at beginning):
PV=P×1−(1+r)−nr×(1+r)PV=P\times \frac{1-(1+r)^{-n}}{r}\times (1+r)PV=P×r1−(1+r)−n×(1+r)
- Ordinary annuity (payments at end):
PV=P×1−(1+r)−nrPV=P\times \frac{1-(1+r)^{-n}}{r}PV=P×r1−(1+r)−n
Where:
P=10,000P=10,000P=10,000,
r=0.04r=0.04r=0.04,
n=n=n= number of payments.
Step 3: Calculate PV for Investment A
Since payments are at the beginning for 17 years:
PVA=10,000×1−(1+0.04)−170.04×1.04PV_A=10,000\times \frac{1-(1+0.04)^{-17}}{0.04}\times 1.04PVA=10,000×0.041−(1+0.04)−17×1.04
Calculate the factor:
1−(1.04)−170.04=1−1/1.93870.04=1−0.51570.04=0.48430.04=12.1075\frac{1-(1.04)^{-17}}{0.04}=\frac{1-1/1.9387}{0.04}=\frac{1-0.5157}{0.04}=\frac{0.4843}{0.04}=12.10750.041−(1.04)−17=0.041−1/1.9387=0.041−0.5157=0.040.4843=12.1075
Multiply by 1.04:
12.1075×1.04=12.591812.1075\times 1.04=12.591812.1075×1.04=12.5918
So,
PVA=10,000×12.5918=125,918PV_A=10,000\times 12.5918=125,918PVA=10,000×12.5918=125,918
Step 4: Calculate PV for Investment B
Payments at the end of each year for 16 years (since no payment in year 17):
PVB=10,000×1−(1+0.04)−160.04PV_B=10,000\times \frac{1-(1+0.04)^{-16}}{0.04}PVB=10,000×0.041−(1+0.04)−16
Calculate the factor:
1−(1.04)−160.04=1−1/1.8720.04=1−0.53440.04=0.46560.04=11.64\frac{1-(1.04)^{-16}}{0.04}=\frac{1-1/1.872}{0.04}=\frac{1-0.5344}{0.04}=\frac{0.4656}{0.04}=11.640.041−(1.04)−16=0.041−1/1.872=0.041−0.5344=0.040.4656=11.64
So,
PVB=10,000×11.64=116,400PV_B=10,000\times 11.64=116,400PVB=10,000×11.64=116,400
Step 5: Find the difference in present value
Difference=PVA−PVB=125,918−116,400=9,518Difference=PV_A- PV_B=125,918-116,400=9,518Difference=PVA−PVB=125,918−116,400=9,518
Answer:
The difference in present value between Investment A and Investment B is approximately $9,518 , with Investment A being more valuable due to earlier payments and the full 17-year stream compared to Investment B's 16 payments at year-end