PW, FW, and AW method in engineering economy

In summary, in engineering economy, when comparing alternatives without any indication of which method to use, it is acceptable to use either the PW, FW, or AW method. These methods allow for comparison of alternatives, with the greater answer indicating the better alternative.
  • #1
kim1234
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0

Homework Statement


i just have a simple question. in engineering economy, when you're comparing alternatives and they don't tell you whether to use PW, FW, or AW method, can you just use any one?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
kim1234 said:

Homework Statement


i just have a simple question. in engineering economy, when you're comparing alternatives and they don't tell you whether to use PW, FW, or AW method, can you just use any one?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Welcome to the PF.

Could you please define your acronyms and give more details? Can you give an example problem?
 
  • #3
PW means present worth, AW means annual worth, and FW means future worth. They're methods that allow you to compare alternatives (the greater answer is the better alternative). But it's okay, I just found out that you can in fact use any of these methods to do it. Thanks though! :)
 

Related to PW, FW, and AW method in engineering economy

1. What is the PW method in engineering economy?

The Present Worth (PW) method is a technique used in engineering economy to evaluate the profitability of a project. It involves converting all future cash flows into their equivalent value in the present time, using a selected interest rate or discount rate.

2. How is the FW method different from the PW method?

The Future Worth (FW) method is similar to the PW method in that it also involves converting all cash flows into their equivalent value in the future, using a selected interest or discount rate. However, the FW method looks at the future value of the project, while the PW method looks at the present value.

3. What is the AW method used for in engineering economy?

The Annual Worth (AW) method is another technique used in engineering economy to evaluate the profitability of a project. It calculates the equivalent annual cost of a project, taking into account the initial investment, annual revenues, and annual expenses over the project's life.

4. How are the three methods (PW, FW, and AW) related?

All three methods (PW, FW, and AW) are used to evaluate the profitability of a project by converting all cash flows into the present, future, or annual equivalent values. They differ in the specific approach and focus, but they can all be used to compare different projects and determine the most financially feasible option.

5. What are some limitations of using the PW, FW, and AW methods in engineering economy?

One limitation is that these methods do not account for inflation or changes in interest rates over the project's life. Additionally, they do not consider the time value of money, which can affect the project's profitability. These methods also assume that all cash flows are known and certain, which may not always be the case in real-life projects.

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