
Answer-first summary for fast verification
Answer: $87.78
**Step 1: Calculate original monthly payment** - Principal: $100,000 - Term: 30 years = 360 months - Monthly rate: 5%/12 = 0.41667% PMT = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n - 1] = $100,000 × [0.0041667(1.0041667)^360] / [(1.0041667)^360 - 1] = $100,000 × [0.0041667 × 4.46774] / [4.46774 - 1] = $100,000 × [0.018615] / [3.46774] = $100,000 × 0.005368 = $536.82 **Step 2: Calculate remaining balance after 5 years** After 5 years (60 payments), remaining term = 25 years = 300 months Remaining balance = PMT × [1 - (1+r)^(-n)] / r = $536.82 × [1 - (1.0041667)^(-300)] / 0.0041667 = $536.82 × [1 - 0.28673] / 0.0041667 = $536.82 × [0.71327] / 0.0041667 = $536.82 × 171.18 = $91,891.40 **Step 3: Calculate new monthly payment at 3.5%** - Principal: $91,891.40 - Term: 25 years = 300 months - Monthly rate: 3.5%/12 = 0.29167% New PMT = $91,891.40 × [0.0029167(1.0029167)^300] / [(1.0029167)^300 - 1] = $91,891.40 × [0.0029167 × 2.39656] / [2.39656 - 1] = $91,891.40 × [0.006989] / [1.39656] = $91,891.40 × 0.005005 = $459.04 **Step 4: Calculate reduction in monthly payment** Reduction = Original payment - New payment = $536.82 - $459.04 = $77.78 Wait, this doesn't match the options. Let me recalculate more carefully: Actually, the question states the refinancing keeps the principal amount and maturity unchanged, meaning we're comparing: - Original: $100,000 principal, 30 years, 5% - New: $100,000 principal, 30 years, 3.5% So we should compare: Original payment: $536.82 (calculated above) New payment at 3.5%: PMT = $100,000 × [0.0029167(1.0029167)^360] / [(1.0029167)^360 - 1] = $100,000 × [0.0029167 × 2.85312] / [2.85312 - 1] = $100,000 × [0.008322] / [1.85312] = $100,000 × 0.004490 = $449.04 Reduction = $536.82 - $449.04 = $87.78 Therefore, the reduction in monthly repayment amount is $87.78.
Author: LeetQuiz Editorial Team
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Consider a 30-year mortgage with an initial interest rate of 5%, compounded monthly, and a principal amount of USD 100,000. After 5 years, the interest rate decreases to 3.5%. Assuming the refinancing process keeps the principal amount and maturity unchanged, what is the reduction in the monthly repayment amount?
A
$87.78
B
$97.53
C
$112.40
D
$129.67
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