The Rule of 72 is a great mental math shortcut to estimate the effect of any growth rate, from quick financial calculations to population estimates. Here’s the formula:

Years to double = 72 / Interest Rate
This formula is useful for financial estimates and understanding the nature of compound interest. Examples:

At 6% interest, your money takes 72/6 or 12 years to double.
To double your money in 10 years, get an interest rate of 72/10 or 7.2%.
If your country’s GDP grows at 3% a year, the economy doubles in 72/3 or 24 years.
If your growth slips to 2%, it will double in 36 years. If growth increases to 4%, the economy doubles in 18 years. Given the speed at which technology develops, shaving years off your growth time could be very important.
You can also use the rule of 72 for expenses like inflation or interest:

If inflation rates go from 2% to 3%, your money will lose half its value in 24 years instead of 36.
If college tuition increases at 5% per year (which is faster than inflation), tuition costs will double in 72/5 or about 14.4 years. If you pay 15% interest on your credit cards, the amount you owe will double in only 72/15 or 4.8 years!