Final answer:
You can afford to borrow approximately $13,535.14 with monthly payments of $275 at a 4.2% interest rate compounded monthly over 5 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how much you are able to borrow with payments of $275 per month at an interest rate of 4.2% compounded monthly for 5 years, we can use the present value of an annuity formula:
PV = PMT * [(1 - (1 + r)^-n) / r]
Where:
- PV = Present Value of the loan (amount you can borrow)
- PMT = Monthly payment ($275)
- r = Monthly interest rate (Annual rate / 12)
- n = Total number of payments (years * 12)
Now we plug in the values:
r = 4.2% / 12 = 0.035%
n = 5 * 12 = 60
So:
PV = $275 * [(1 - (1 + 0.0035)^-60) / 0.0035]
Calculating this, we get:
PV = $275 * [(1 - (1 + 0.0035)^-60) / 0.0035]
PV ≈ $275 * [1 - (1.0035)^-60] / 0.0035
PV ≈ $275 * 49.2186667
PV ≈ $13,535.14
Therefore, you can borrow approximately $13,535.14.
This calculation allows you to understand the maximum loan amount you are able to afford given the monthly payment and interest rate, which is an important aspect of financial planning when considering an auto loan.