What is the formula for calculating the present value of an annuity payment?

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What is the formula for calculating the present value of an annuity payment?

The formula for calculating the present value of an annuity payment is as follows:

PV = P * [(1 - (1 + r)^(-n)) / r]

Where:
PV = Present Value of the annuity payment
P = Periodic payment amount
r = Interest rate per period
n = Number of periods

This formula is derived from the concept of time value of money, which states that the value of money decreases over time due to factors such as inflation and opportunity cost. The present value of an annuity payment represents the current worth of a series of future cash flows, discounted at a specific interest rate.

To calculate the present value, the formula takes into account the periodic payment amount (P), the interest rate per period (r), and the number of periods (n). The interest rate per period should be consistent with the frequency of the annuity payments (e.g., if the payments are made annually, the interest rate should be an annual rate).

By using this formula, one can determine the amount of money that needs to be invested today in order to receive a specific stream of future cash flows. It is a useful tool in financial planning, investment analysis, and decision-making processes.