Let the required rate of interest be \( R % \).
Step 1: Calculate the amount after 5 years at 10% per annum.
Using the formula for compound interest:
\[
A = P \left(1 + \frac{r}{100}\right)^t
\]
Where:
- \( P = 24000 \) (Principal),
- \( r = 10% \) (Rate of interest),
- \( t = 5 \) years.
The amount after 5 years at 10% interest is:
\[
A_5 = 24000 \left(1 + \frac{10}{100}\right)^5 = 24000 \times (1.1)^5 = 24000 \times 1.61051 = 38,644.24
\]
Step 2: Calculate the amount after 3 years at the unknown rate \( R \).
Using the formula for compound interest for 3 years at rate \( R \):
\[
A_3 = 24000 \left(1 + \frac{R}{100}\right)^3
\]
Step 3: Set up the equation for the difference in amounts.
The difference between the amounts after 5 years and 3 years is Rs. 6,640:
\[
38,644.24 - 24000 \left(1 + \frac{R}{100}\right)^3 = 6640
\]
\[
24000 \left(1 + \frac{R}{100}\right)^3 = 38,644.24 - 6640 = 32,004.24
\]
\[
\left(1 + \frac{R}{100}\right)^3 = \frac{32,004.24}{24000} = 1.33351
\]
Step 4: Solve for \( R \).
Taking the cube root of both sides:
\[
1 + \frac{R}{100} = \sqrt[3]{1.33351} \approx 1.100
\]
\[
\frac{R}{100} = 1.100 - 1 = 0.100
\]
\[
R = 10%
\]
Step 5: Correct Interpretation.
The rate of interest that the household would have gotten after 5 years at 10% is Rs. 38,644.24. After 3 years, the rate was approximately 7.44% to get an amount Rs. 6,640 less than what would have been obtained after 5 years.
Thus, the actual rate of interest allowed by the bank is 7.44%.