Apple Numbers '08 - Manual (Page 287)

Chapter 12 Dictionary of Functions 287
VDB
The VDB (variable declining balance) function calculates the depreciation of an asset
over a chosen time interval, using either the double-declining method or another rate
that you specify.
VDB(cost, salvage, life, start, end, [factor], [no-switch])
 cost: The initial cost of the asset.
 salvage: The salvage value of the asset.
 life: The number of periods over which the asset is depreciated.
 start: The first period for which you want to start the depreciation calculation.
 end: The last period you want to include in the depreciation calculation.
 factor: Optional; a number that determines the depreciation rate. The higher the
number, the more rapid the depreciation. If omitted, 2 (for double-declining) is
assumed.
 no-switch: Optional; controls whether the function switches to straight-line
depreciation when that value is greater than the amount from the variable declining
method.
Examples
If A2:E2 contains 10000, 1000, 9, 0, 1:
VDB(A2, B2, C2, D2, E2) returns $2222.22, the first year’s depreciation for a $10,000 asset with a 9-year
life at the end of which it can be salvaged for $1,000.
VDB(A2, B2, C2, 1, 2) returns $1,728.40, the second year’s depreciation.
VDB(A2, B2, C2, 8, 9, 2, FALSE) returns $339.20, the last year’s depreciation if allowed to switch to
straight-line depreciation.
VDB(A2, B2, C2, 8, 9, 2, TRUE) returns $297.60, the last year’s depreciation if not allowed to switch to
straight-line depreciation.
VDB(1000, 100, 4, 0, 1) returns $500.