200 per month for 5 years = 12,000
Phil can (at most) pay 12,000 for the car loan.
That would be the payment total.
So, how do we solve for the PRINCIPAL?
Looking at the attached formula, we see the
principal = Total - Total * ((1 +r)^-n) / r * n
where n = # of payments = 5 year * 12 months = 60 and
rate / 1.200 = 7.5/1,200 = .00625
principal = [12,000 - 12,000 * (1.00625)^-60] / .375
principal = [12,000 - 12,000 *
<span>
<span>
<span>
0.6880918239
</span>
</span>
</span>
] / .375
principal = [12,000 -
<span>
<span>
<span>
8,257.1018863488] / .375
</span></span></span>principal =
<span>
<span>
<span>
3,742.</span></span></span>90 / .375
principal = 9,981.06
Source:
http://www.1728.org/loanfrm4.htm
