Formula and method
IRR is the periodic rate that makes net present value zero: sum cash flow at period t divided by (1+r)^t. The initial investment is at time zero. This calculator restricts the series to one initial outflow and later nonnegative receipts so the rate is unique.
Worked example
An initial outlay of $100 followed by a $110 receipt one year later has a 10% IRR. If the receipt is $50 instead, the one-year IRR is −50%.