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To use the glossary, simply click on the first letter of the term of interest below:

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P

P
In economic equations, a Present lump sum of money.
_
P or P'
In economic equations, a total amount of money that flows continuously and uniformly during the present period.
Payback Period
A criteria for investment decisions; the number of periods of time required for an investment's cost savings and revenues to equal the amount of the investment with no interest. See also discounted payback period.
Periodic Continuous Cash Flow
A recurring cash flow happening evenly throughout each period, over a range of periods. For example, the depletion value in an operating mine decreases on the basis of a continuous cash flow as ore is removed daily. See also Discrete Periodic Cash Flow, Discrete Single Cash Flow, Discrete Continuous Cash Flow and Periodic Gradient Cash Flow.
Periodic Gradient Cash Flow
A recurring cash flow happening each period. The amount of the cash flow increases as a gradient series: End Year 1: $x, end year 2: $2x, end year 3: $3x and so on. Accumulated depreciation is an example. See also Discrete Periodic Cash Flow, Discrete Single Cash Flow, Discrete Continuous Cash Flow and Periodic Continuous Cash Flow.
Present Worth of Annual Costs (PWAC)
An economic evaluator meaningful only when the rules and assumptions of a cost comparison economic analysis have been strictly adhered to. In addition, the degree of risk should be similar for each alternative. PWAC can also provide a profitability comparison under the same rules, thanks to the MAR component and consideration.
PWAC
Present Worth of Annual Costs.
Plant
In this glossary, Plant refers to units under study. Although really a utilities-type term, its concept is equally applicable regardless of what one is costing, things as diverse as light bulbs, underground zinc mines, levies or railroad lines.


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