What do you call a series of uniform payments made at equal intervals of time?

The term you're referring to is annuity, which is defined as a series of uniform payments made at equal intervals of time. Annuities are commonly used in financial contexts such as loans, mortgages, and retirement plans, where the payment amounts remain constant over the specified period.

In an annuity, these regular payments could be made monthly, quarterly, annually, or at any other set interval, and they create a predictable income stream. The concept is important in both personal finance and investment strategies, as it helps individuals plan for future expenses or investment returns.

Understanding annuities is essential in engineering economics, particularly when evaluating the present value of future cash flows, calculating loan repayments, or understanding how savings accumulate over time. This concept allows for the assessment of financial decisions and the strategic planning of payments.