
SECTION 2.5 Arithmetic Gradient Factors
(PIG
and
AI
G)
There
is
no direct, single-cell spreadsheet function
to
calculate P or A for
an
arithmetic gradient. Use the NPV function for
P,
and the PMT function for A,
after all cash flows are entered into cells. (The use
ofNPV
and PMT functions for
this type
of
cash flow series is illustrated in Chapter 3.)
An F
/G
factor (arithmetic-gradient future worth factor) can be derived by
multiplying the
PIG
and
F/P
factors. The resulting factor,
(F/G,i,n),
in
brack-
ets, and engineering economy relation is
The total present worth
P T for a gradient series must consider the base and the
gradient separately. Thus, for cash flow series involving conventional gradients:
• The base amount is the uniform-series amount A that begins in year 1 and
extends through year
n. Its present worth is represented by P
A
.
• For an increasing gradient, the gradient amount must be added to the uniform-
series amount. The present worth
is
Pc.
•
For a decreasing gradient, the gradient amount must be subtracted from the
uniform-series amount. The present worth is
- Pc.
The general equations for calculating total present worth P T
of
conventional
arithmetic gradients are
and
[2.18]
Similarly, the equivalent total annual series are
AT =
AA
+
Ac
and AT =
AA
-
AG
[2.19]
where
AA
is the annual base amount and
Ac
is the equivalent annual amount
of
the gradient series.
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Three contiguous counties
in
Florida have agreed
to
pool tax resources already desig-
nated for county-maintained bridge refurbishment. At a recent meeting, the county
engineers estimated that a total
of
$500,000 will be deposited at the end
of
next year
into
an
account for the repair
of
old and safety-questionable bridges throughout the
three-county area. Further, they estimate that the deposits will increase
by
$100,000 per
year for only 9 years thereafter, then cease. Detennine the equivalent
(a) present worth
and
(b) annual series amounts if county funds earn interest at a rate
of
5% per year.
Solution
(a) The cash flow diagram from the county's perspective is shown in Figure 2-15.
Two computations must be made and added: the first for the present worth
of
the base amount P
A
and a second for the present worth
of
the gradient Po. The
total present worth
P
T
occurs in year
0.
This
is
illustrated
by
the partitioned
cash
flow
diagram
in
Figure 2-16. In $1000 units, the present worth, from
69
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