There doesn't seem to be a way around this. I want to be able to calculate values using variables but in such a way that the value continues to change - however, I cannot simply write out the number, I need a variable. Here is the problem, look at my example below, if I were to use calculations based on define variable, I would end up using longer and longer calculations and that would be a horible mess. Like this print $serveryear . " " . $servercost . " " . ($servercost * HIGH_DEPREC) . " " . ($servercost - $servercost * HIGH_DEPREC) . "\n"; print ($serveryear + 1) . " " . ($servercost - $dodgecost * HIGH_DEPREC) . " " . ($servercost - $servercost * HIGH_DEPREC * HIGH_DEPREC) . " " . ETC . "\n"; It just grows and grows!!!! At the same time I cannot define a variable for each and every calculation, that too is a mess that grows and grows. DELL SERVER– Depreciation over 5-year period (Factor: .20) YEAR Start Value Deprec Ending Value 2004 21297.00 4259.40 17037.60 2005 17037.60 3407.52 13630.08 2006 2007 2008 Any insights, comments, and suggestions will be greatly appreaciated. Thanks
value = original value * (1-factor) ^ years ? eg 0.80 squared (2 years depreciation) is 0.64, so it would end up only being worth 64% of its original value. You may want to look into while and for loops as well