Which describes the difference between simple and compound interest? Simple interest is paid on the principal, while compound interest is paid on the principal and interest accrued.

What is the difference between simple and compound?

Compound Interest: An Overview. … The interest, typically expressed as a percentage, can be either simple or compounded. Simple interest is based on the principal amount of a loan or deposit. In contrast, compound interest is based on the principal amount and the interest that accumulates on it in every period.

What are some examples of simple interest?

Car loans, amortized monthly, and retailer installment loans, also calculated monthly, are examples of simple interest; as the loan balance dips with each monthly payment, so does the interest. Certificates of deposit (CDs) pay a specific amount in interest on a set date, representing simple interest.