The document discusses compound interest versus simple interest. Compound interest earns interest on both the principal amount and any interest that has already been earned. This causes the amount to grow exponentially over time, much faster than simple interest which only earns interest on the principal. An example shows $100 growing to $161 after 5 years with compound interest, versus $150 with simple interest. The compound interest formula is provided to calculate total amounts based on principal, interest rate, number of compounding periods, and time. Several examples demonstrate applying the formula.