Money & maths
The numbers behind everyday decisions.
0:35What is inflation?
Inflation is the average rise in prices, measured by repricing one basket of goods. At 3% a year, $100 of cash buys about $74 of today’s goods in ten years.
0:28Adam Smith's invisible hand, explained
Adam Smith's pin factory, the self-interest of the butcher and baker, and the invisible hand that turns private gain into public plenty.
0:27How compound interest grows
Why $1,000 at 7% becomes about $7,612 in 30 years, and why simple interest only reaches $3,100.