Leaving Cert Maths: Financial maths
How often Financial maths comes up on the Maths papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.
HL Asked on 6 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years
OL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker
FL Asked on 7 of the last 7 Foundation Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker
Quick ones on Financial maths.
- P(1 + it)
- P(1 + i)ᵗ
- P(1 − i)ᵗ
- €1,100
- €1,200
- €1,210
- P(1 − i)ᵗ
- P(1 − it)²
- P(1 + i)ᵗ
Show the answers
(a) P(1 + i)ᵗ
(b) €1,210
(c) P(1 − i)ᵗ
Higher Level
Asked on 6 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Paper 1, Q2 |
| 2025 | Paper 1, Q8 |
| 2024 | Paper 1, Q7 |
| 2023 | Paper 1, Q8 |
| 2022 | Not asked |
| 2021 | Not asked |
| 2019 | Not asked |
| 2018 | Paper 2, Q8 |
| 2017 | Paper 1, Q8 |
| 2016 | Not asked |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More Financial maths questions
Financial maths, 2 marks
€100 at 3% compound interest for 2 years grows to?
- €106
- €103
- €106.09
Show the answer
€106.09
F = 100(1.03)² = 100 × 1.0609 = €106.09.
Financial maths, 2 marks
Inflation is 2% a year. An item costs €50 now. Its price in one year?
- €50.02
- €51
- €52
Show the answer
€51
Multiply by 1.02: 50 × 1.02 = €51. That's the €50 plus 2% of €50 (€1).
Financial maths, 2 marks
Present value of €1,100 due in 1 year, at 10% per year?
- €1,000
- €990
- €1,210
Show the answer
€1,000
P = F/(1 + i)ᵗ = 1100/1.1 = €1,000. Check: €1,000 plus 10% is €1,100.
Ordinary Level
Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Paper 1, Q1, Paper 1, Q7, Paper 1, Q9 |
| 2025 | Paper 1, Q1, Paper 1, Q6, Paper 1, Q9, Paper 1, Q10 |
| 2024 | Paper 1, Q1, Paper 1, Q9, Paper 1, Q10 |
| 2023 | Paper 1, Q1, Paper 1, Q8, Paper 1, Q10 |
| 2022 | Paper 1, Q3, Paper 1, Q9, Paper 1, Q10 |
| 2021 | Paper 1, Q1, Paper 1, Q7 |
| 2019 | Paper 1, Q1, Paper 1, Q9 |
| 2018 | Paper 1, Q1 |
| 2017 | Paper 1, Q1, Paper 1, Q6 |
| 2016 | Paper 1, Q6, Paper 1, Q7, Paper 2, Q8 |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More Financial maths questions
Financial maths, 2 marks
€2,000 is invested for 1 year at 3% compound interest. What is it worth?
- €2,003
- €2,600
- €2,060
Show the answer
€2,060
Adding 3% means multiplying by 1.03: F = 2000 × 1.03 = €2,060.
Financial maths, 2 marks
A coat costs €60 plus VAT at 20%. What is the total price?
- €62
- €72
- €80
Show the answer
€72
VAT = 20% of 60 = €12, so the total is 60 + 12 = €72.
Financial maths, 2 marks
Compound interest formula: F = ?
- P(1 + i)ᵗ
- P(1 + it)
- Pit
Show the answer
P(1 + i)ᵗ
Each year the amount is multiplied by (1 + i), so after t years F = P(1 + i)ᵗ. It is in the tables book.
Foundation Level
Asked on 7 of the last 7 Foundation Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Q2, Q9, Q10, Q11 |
| 2025 | Q4, Q5, Q10, Q11 |
| 2024 | Q1, Q9, Q10 |
| 2023 | Q3, Q7, Q10, Q11 |
| 2022 | Q3, Q4, Q5, Q8, Q11 |
| 2021 | Q2, Q4, Q9, Q10, Q11 |
| 2019 | Q4, Q6 |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More Financial maths questions
Financial maths, 2 marks
A jacket costs €80. It is reduced by 20% in a sale. What is the sale price?
- €16
- €60
- €64
Show the answer
€64
20% of €80 = €16. Take it off: €80 − €16 = €64.
Financial maths, 2 marks
A bill is €100 before VAT. VAT at 23% is added. What is the total?
- €77
- €123
- €23
Show the answer
€123
23% of €100 = €23. Add it on: €100 + €23 = €123.
Financial maths, 2 marks
You earn €13 per hour and work 8 hours. What is your pay?
- €104
- €21
- €96
Show the answer
€104
Pay = rate × hours = €13 × 8 = €104.