Final answer:
To calculate Jane's monthly car loan payments, we must determine the amount financed, total of the payments, and monthly payment. After deducting the down payment from the price of the SUV, we find the amount financed. To calculate the total of the payments, we multiply the amount financed by the monthly interest rate. Finally, we divide the total of the payments by the number of months to find the monthly payment.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the monthly payments for Jane Smart's car loan, we need to calculate the amount financed, the total of the payments, and the monthly payment.
- First, we calculate the amount financed by subtracting the down payment from the price of the SUV: $22,500 - $2,000 = $20,500.
- Next, we calculate the total of the payments, which is the amount financed plus the interest. To calculate the interest, we multiply the amount financed by the true annual interest rate and divide by 12 to get the monthly interest rate: ($20,500 * 0.12) / 12 = $205.
- Then, we add the amount financed to the total interest to get the total of the payments: $20,500 + $205 = $20,705.
- Finally, we calculate the monthly payment by dividing the total of the payments by the number of months: $20,705 / 60 = $345.08 (rounded to the nearest penny).
So, Jane's monthly payment for the SUV is $345.08.