Final answer:
Interest charges on notes payable may be based on a percentage of the total amount borrowed, with the interest rate calculated by multiplying the principal amount by the interest rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Interest charges on notes payable may be based on a percentage of the total amount borrowed. This percentage is called the interest rate. The interest rate is determined by several factors, including the creditworthiness of the borrower and the current market conditions. For example, if a firm issues bonds and promises an interest rate of 5%, a bondholder who owns a $10,000 bond would receive $500 in interest payments each year. The interest charges are calculated by multiplying the principal amount by the interest rate.