IB DP Mathematics • 2024 • 6 Marks

Number & Algebra: Mortgage Loan Amortization Financial Mathematics

Official examination question with verified M1/A1 mark scheme and step-by-step mathematical reasoning.

Problem Statement

Marcus takes out a mortgage of $\$300,000$ to buy an apartment. The loan has an annual interest rate of $4.8\%$ compounded monthly, and is to be repaid in equal monthly payments over $25$ years. (a) Calculate Marcus's monthly repayment. (b) Calculate the total interest Marcus will pay over the full duration of the loan.

Verified Solution & Marking Scheme

Part (a): TVM Parameters
Total payments $N = 25 \times 12 = 300$ months. Monthly interest rate $r = \frac{4.8\%}{12} = 0.4\% = 0.004$ per month. Present value $PV = 300,000$, Future value $FV = 0$. Monthly repayment formula: $PMT = PV \frac{r(1 + r)^N}{(1 + r)^N - 1} = 300,000 \times \frac{0.004(1.004)^{300}}{(1.004)^{300} - 1}$ $(1.004)^{300} \approx 3.31016$ $PMT = 300,000 \times \frac{0.004 \times 3.31016}{3.31016 - 1} = 300,000 \times \frac{0.0132406}{2.31016} \approx \$1,719.44$
Part (b): Total Interest Paid
$\text{Total Repayments} = 300 \times 1,719.44 = \$515,832$ $\text{Total Interest} = \text{Total Repayments} - PV = 515,832 - 300,000 = \$215,832$
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