Undergrad Boas 1.13 Compound interest/geometric series

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The discussion revolves around calculating the future value of monthly investments at a 6% interest rate compounded monthly, using the formula for the partial sum of a geometric series. The user computes the total after 10 years as approximately $1646.99, but finds discrepancies when comparing this result with online compound interest calculators, which suggest amounts around $2013.46. The user confirms the validity of the monthly compounding factor, 1.005, but is confused about the differing results. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the differences between various compounding methods, such as monthly versus continuous compounding. Clarification on the calculations and compounding methods is sought to resolve the inconsistencies.
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From Mary Boas' "Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences" Third Edition.

I'm not taking this class but I was going through the textbook and ran into an issue. The problem states:

If you invest a dollar at "6% interest compounded monthly," it amounts to (1.005)n dollars after n months. If you invest $10 at the beginning of each month for 10 years (120 months), how much will you have at the end of the 10 years?​

Now, the problem expects you to use the formula for partial sum of a geometric series.
S_n=\frac{a(1-r^n)}{1-r}

So, as far as I can tell, the series is
10*1.005+10*1.005^2+10*1.005^3+...
which would mean:
a = 10*1.005 = 10.05,
r = 1.005,
and n = 120.​

Computing Sn with those values gives about $1646.99.

Interestingly, Quora gave the exact same answer: https://www.quora.com/Investing-que...much-will-you-have-at-the-end-of-the-10-yearsMy problem? Compound interest calculators give a totally different number. For example:
http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/savings/compound-savings-calculator-tool.aspx
gives $2014.
screencap: https://s15.postimg.org/gxaujjt8b/compoundinterest1.jpg

https://www.investor.gov/additional...l-planning-tools/compound-interest-calculator
gives $2013.46.
screencap: https://s17.postimg.org/4ai0gb7xb/compoundinterest2.jpg

So, I am kind of lost here. Did I do the problem wrong? If so please enlighten me. I double checked their value of 1.005 using (1+r/n)nt; (1 + 0.06/12) = 1.005, so 1.005n appears to be valid to me.Any suggestions?
 
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Think about the differences among annual/yearly, monthly (which you've got), and "continuous" compounding.
 
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