The Rule of 72 is a mathematical approximation that helps you estimate the time it takes for an investment to double in value based on a given interest rate. It assumes that the interest rate remains constant over the investment period, which is a simplification but can provide a rough estimate.
How Do You Calculate the Rule of 72?
To use the Rule of 72, you divide the number 72 by the annual interest rate (expressed as a percentage) to determine the approximate number of years it will take for your investment to double.
Let’s take an example. Suppose you have an investment that earns an annual interest rate of 8%. To estimate how long it will take for your investment to double, you can divide 72 by 8:
Number of Years to Double = 72 / 8 = 9 years
According to the Rule of 72, with an 8% interest rate, it would take approximately 9 years for your investment to double in value.
Similarly, if you have a different interest rate, you can use the same formula. For instance, if the interest rate is 6%, you divide 72 by 6:
Number of Years to Double = 72 / 6 = 12 years
In this case, with a 6% interest rate, it would take around 12 years for your investment to double.
It’s important to note that the Rule of 72 is an approximation and does not take into account compounding, which can have a significant impact on investment growth. Also, keep in mind that interest rates can change over time, so the actual doubling time may vary. Nonetheless, the Rule of 72 provides a quick and easy way to estimate the time it takes for an investment to double based on a given interest rate.
Who Came Up With the Rule of 72?
The exact origin of the Rule of 72 is not attributed to a specific individual. It is believed to have been developed as a simple rule of thumb that has been passed down through generations and widely used in the field of finance.
The Rule of 72 is a rough approximation rather than a precise mathematical principle. Its simplicity and ease of use have made it popular among individuals, investors, and financial professionals as a quick method to estimate the time it takes for an investment to double.
While the originator of the rule remains unknown, it is often credited to be a mnemonic device that was derived from the mathematical constant “e” (approximately equal to 2.71828) used in compound interest calculations. The Rule of 72 serves as an approximation for the natural logarithm of 2, which is approximately 0.693. By using 72 as a divisor, it provides a close estimate of the doubling time for an investment.
Although the Rule of 72 is not derived from rigorous mathematical principles, its simplicity and ease of use have made it a popular tool for financial estimation and planning.
Rule of 72 and its connection to the mathematical constant “e.”
The Rule of 72 is an approximation that provides a rough estimate of the time it takes for an investment to double. It is based on the concept of exponential growth and compound interest.
To understand its connection to “e,” let’s first consider the formula for compound interest:
A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt)
Where: A is the future value of the investment P is the principal amount (initial investment) r is the annual interest rate (expressed as a decimal) n is the number of times the interest is compounded per year t is the number of years
When the compounding frequency approaches infinity (i.e., as n approaches infinity), the formula can be simplified using the mathematical constant “e.” The formula becomes:
A = P * e^(rt)
Now, let’s focus on the case when we want to find the time it takes for an investment to double. In this scenario, we set A to be 2P, representing double the initial investment:
2P = P * e^(rt)
To solve for t, we can divide both sides of the equation by P:
2 = e^(rt)
Now, let’s take the natural logarithm (ln) of both sides:
ln(2) = ln(e^(rt))
Using the properties of logarithms, we can bring down the exponent:
ln(2) = rt * ln(e)
Since ln(e) is equal to 1, the equation simplifies to:
ln(2) = rt
Now, solving for t:
t = ln(2) / r
Here comes the connection to the Rule of 72. We know that ln(2) is approximately 0.693. If we express the annual interest rate as a percentage (r), we can rewrite the equation as:
t ≈ 0.693 / r
To make the calculation even simpler, we can approximate 0.693 as 0.7. Dividing 70 by the interest rate (r) gives us a result very close to the actual doubling time. However, 70 is not as convenient a number as 72, which is easier to divide by various interest rates. Hence, the Rule of 72 was born.
To summarize, the Rule of 72 is an approximation derived from the compound interest formula when the compounding frequency approaches infinity. It uses the natural logarithm of 2 and simplifies the equation to provide an estimation of the doubling time of an investment. While it’s not mathematically precise, it’s a useful rule of thumb for quick calculations in personal finance and investment planning.
Practical applications of Rule of 72
The Rule of 72 has several practical applications in personal finance and investment planning. Here are a few ways it can be used:
Estimating Investment Growth:
The Rule of 72 can be used to estimate the potential growth of an investment. By dividing 72 by the expected rate of return, you can get an approximation of how long it will take for your investment to double in value. This can help you set realistic expectations and evaluate the growth potential of different investment opportunities.
Estimating annual returns required to double your investment:
Also, if you want your investment corpus to double in a specific period, for example, 10 years you want your invested amount to double, you can simply divide 72 by the number of investment duration to arrive at the annual returns you need to double your investment in 10 years. In this example, as you need your investment to double in 10 years, by dividing 72/10 you will get 7.2. This means you need 7.2% annual return every year for 10 years to double your investments in 10 years.
Debt Management:
The Rule of 72 is also applicable to debt management. For example, if you have a loan with a certain interest rate, dividing 72 by that interest rate will give you an estimate of the number of years it will take for your debt to double if no additional payments are made. This can help you understand the long-term cost of borrowing and motivate you to pay off high-interest debt more aggressively.
Comparing Investment Options:
The Rule of 72 is a helpful tool for comparing different investment opportunities. By applying the rule to each investment’s expected rate of return, you can quickly estimate the time it takes for each investment to double. This allows you to assess the relative growth potential and make more informed decisions when choosing between investment options.
Retirement Planning:
The Rule of 72 can be used in retirement planning to estimate how long it will take for your retirement savings to double. By dividing 72 by the expected rate of return on your retirement investments, you can get an approximate timeframe for your savings to double. This can help you evaluate the sufficiency of your retirement savings and make adjustments to your savings strategies as needed.
Simplifying Financial Calculations:
The Rule of 72 simplifies financial calculations and provides a rough estimate of compound interest. It allows you to mentally approximate the impact of interest rates or investment returns without relying on complex mathematical formulas or financial calculators. This can be useful for quick assessments or rough planning scenarios.
Examples of how the Rule of 72 can be applied
Example 1: Savings Account
Suppose you have a savings account with an annual interest rate of 4%. To estimate how long it will take for your savings to double, you can divide 72 by 4. The result is 18. This means that it would take approximately 18 years for your savings to double at a 4% interest rate.
Example 2: Investment
Let’s say you’re considering an investment with an expected annual return of 8%. Using the Rule of 72, you can estimate that it would take approximately 9 years (72 divided by 8) for your investment to double at an 8% return rate.
Example 3: Credit Card Debt
Imagine you have a credit card with an annual interest rate of 24%. Dividing 72 by 24 gives you an estimate of 3. This means that, if you make no additional payments, it would take around 3 years for your credit card debt to double at a 24% interest rate.
Example 4: Retirement Planning
Suppose you’re saving for retirement and aiming for your retirement savings to double before you retire. If you have an expected average annual return of 6%, you can use the Rule of 72 to estimate that it would take approximately 12 years (72 divided by 6) for your retirement savings to double.
Example 5: Comparing Investments
Imagine you’re considering two investment opportunities. Investment A offers an expected annual return of 10%, while Investment B offers an expected annual return of 6%. By using the Rule of 72, you can estimate that Investment A would take about 7.2 years (72 divided by 10) to double, while Investment B would take approximately 12 years (72 divided by 6) to double. This allows you to compare the growth potential and make a more informed decision.
Example 6: Inflation
If you want to understand the impact of inflation on the purchasing power of your money, you can use the Rule of 72. Divide 72 by the average annual inflation rate to estimate the number of years it will take for the value of money to halve. For instance, if the inflation rate is 3%, it would take approximately 24 years (72 divided by 3) for the purchasing power of your money to be reduced by half due to inflation.
Example 7: Mortgage Payoff
If you want to estimate how long it will take for your mortgage to be paid off, you can use the Rule of 72. Divide 72 by the annual interest rate on your mortgage to get an approximation of the number of years it will take for your mortgage to double. For instance, if you have a mortgage with an interest rate of 4%, it would take approximately 18 years (72 divided by 4) for your mortgage balance to double if you make no additional payments.
Example 8: Impact of Fees
The Rule of 72 can also be used to understand the impact of fees on investments. Let’s say you have an investment with an expected return of 8% but there are annual fees of 1%. By using the Rule of 72, you can estimate that it would take approximately 9 years (72 divided by 8) for your investment to double. However, if you subtract the 1% fee, the effective return becomes 7%. Now, it would take around 10.3 years (72 divided by 7) for your investment to double. This example illustrates how fees can affect the growth of your investments over time.
Click here to learn more about “Rule of 72”
Conclusion
These examples demonstrate the versatility of the Rule of 72 in various financial scenarios. Remember that the rule provides a rough estimate and does not account for all factors influencing financial outcomes. It’s always important to consider other factors, such as fees, taxes, and market conditions, and consult with professionals for more accurate and personalized advice.