How does the future value of a deposit subject to continuous compounding compare to the value obtained by annual compounding?

The future value of a deposit with continuous compounding is generally higher than that obtained through annual compounding, given the same interest rate and time frame. This is because continuous compounding calculates interest at every possible moment, effectively maximizing the amount of interest accrued over time. The formula for continuous compounding, ( FV = Pe^{rt} ), allows for exponential growth, while annual compounding relies on discrete intervals, resulting in less frequent interest calculations. Thus, for the same principal, interest rate, and duration, continuous compounding yields a greater future value.