What reflects the percentage reward or payment given to savers or charged to borrowers over time?

The correct choice is the interest rates, as these rates are the critical factor in determining the compensation that savers receive for their deposits and the cost that borrowers incur for loans over time. When a person saves money in a bank, the interest rate reflects the return they will earn on their savings. Conversely, when someone borrows money, the interest rate represents the cost of borrowing, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount over a specific period.

Interest rates play a vital role in the economy, influencing spending and saving behaviors among consumers and businesses. Higher interest rates may encourage saving, as individuals seek to earn more on their deposits, while lower rates can promote borrowing and spending, as the cost of loans decreases.

Other options such as the discount rate primarily relate to the interest rates set by central banks for lending to other banks and do not directly reflect the rates given to savers or charged to borrowers. The inflation rate measures changes in the overall price level of goods and services over time, affecting purchasing power but not directly measuring rewards or costs associated with saving or borrowing. The exchange rate indicates the value of one currency in relation to another, influencing international trade but not pertaining to the interest paid on savings or loans.