VLookup - Student Needs Help

[wiserobo]

I am an 8th grade student and am taking an online summer computer class. I am new to Excel and have been given an assignment about VLookup and cannot figure the assignment out. I have searched the Forum but cannot fully understand the Vlookup function and how to apply it to the instructions provided by my instructor. Below are the instructions from my instructor and the attached worksheet to use as a starting point. I want to learn but this is very confusing to me. I have to turn this in at midnight tonight so any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Scott

Assignment:
The Sports Sale workbook contains an inventory of used sports equipment. Open the Sports Sale spreadsheet and complete the following steps:

Sort the worksheet so that the equipment and their corresponding information are in alphabetical order.
The selling price is calculated based upon the original price of the equipment. In C3 type the label Selling Price. Create a VLOOKUP table starting in A12. Create a VLOOKUP function in column C. Then use a formula that multiplies the percentage by the original price and subtracts the discount (make sure you are using VLOOKUP, so elements will be outside the function).
Original Price Percentage
0-199 10%
200-399 20%
400 and up 40%
Each equipment will either be sold, donated, or thrown away based on the selling price. In cell D3, enter the label What to Do and format the label as bold. Enter formulas that use the Vlookup function to display what to do with each item. Center that column. Create a VLOOKUP table starting in D12.

Selling Price What to Do?
under 50 Throw Away
$51- $300 Donate
$301 and above Sell
Change the column widths as necessary so that all the data is displayed entirely.

[mehmetcik]

Select A5 to B10, Select the data tab and then A-Z

[wiserobo]

I am sorry if I seemed rude. I really appreciate the help and did not mean to come across as anything but grateful. I have completed the steps above. What should I do next?

Thanks,
Scott

[mehmetcik]

Where did you get too?

[wiserobo]

Thanks for the quick reply. I selected A5 to B10 and Sorted by A-Z from the data tab as instructed above.

Thanks,
Scott

[mehmetcik]

So you need a Vlookup table

Type 0 in A12 and 0.1 in B12 and then down, Format B12 to B15 as percentage. Your percentages are 0.1, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4

0 10%
199 10.00%
300 20.00%
400 40.00%

Type Selling Price into C3.

Then this formula into C5.

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and fill down.

[wiserobo]

I have completed the Vlookup table as instructed. This is great and I appreciate the help.

Thanks,
Scott

[mehmetcik]

Type What to do in D3

Enter this table in D12 to E15

0 Throw Away
51 Donate
301 Sell

This is the formula for D5

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[wiserobo]

I have completed the next task. What should I do next?

Thanks for the help,
Scott

[mehmetcik]

That is the bulk of what you need.

Please note we do not mind helping with coursework but do not normally give the answers.

So try and give us advanced warning so we can show you the process without giving the answers away.

[wiserobo]

One question...did you mean E14 instead of E15 as there are only three rows of data.

Thanks,
Scott

[wiserobo]

Thanks for the great help. I will attempt the VLookup function now with the data you provided. I appreciate the help.

Scott

[wiserobo]

Thanks so much for the help on the Vlookup assignment. I have one more question and hope you are available. I have attached a spreadsheet where I am working on totals for a car loan and cannot seem to calculate the amount of interest paid on each loan (total amount paid minus the principal). I have followed my instructors directions but keep coming up with an incorrect amount. Can you please advise what I am doing wrong? I subtracted the principal from the total amount paid but it is adding the numbers. I cannot attach the file but have copied my work below.

Thanks,
Scott

Car Loan
4 Year Loan 4 year Loan 5 Year Loan 5 Year Loan

Interest Rate 4% 5% 4% 5%
Number of Payments 48 48 60 60
Principal $23,475.00 $23,475.00 $23,475.00 $23,475.00

Monthly Payment ($499.11) ($501.65) ($401.28) ($403.81)

Total Paid ($23,957.41) ($24,078.99) ($24,076.54) ($24,228.46)
Total Interest ($47,432.41) ($47,553.99) ($47,551.54) ($47,703.46)


($47,432.41)

[JeteMc]

Could you post the formula that you used to subtract the 'Principal' from the 'Total Paid'?

[wiserobo]

Thanks for the reply and I appreciate the help. I subtracted the Principal from the Total Paid which in my case was =B6-B10. It actually added the numbers and presented it as a negative amount.

Thanks,
Scott

[AliGW]

Please add an updated workbook so that your 'tutors' here can guide you instead of just giving answers at each stage.

[FDibbins]

Nothing is more frustrating than to be working on homework and to get stuck. Without guidance, you might have no hope of finishing the assignment before the deadline. The Internet can be a big help in that respect, but without learning how to get the right answer, asking others to solve your homework questions for you simply becomes a downward spiral (and it's cheating).

We do not want to contribute to you cheating yourself out of your education, but we also acknowledge that seeking assistance to learn a concept is a legitimate request.

If you are genuinely interested in receiving help in the form of tutoring or coaching, then please rephrase the title of your original post to clearly indicate you are seeking coaching or tutoring help. Any forum members (who are willing to assist as a tutor) will modify their responses accordingly to facilitate your learning. Tutors don't tell you the answers, they help you figure it out for yourself; so don't expect answers, expect suggestions, or just plain hints. Also, be specific in describing the function/formula or technique you trying to learn, and tell us what you have attempted so far. Otherwise, expect your plea for homework answers to be ignored.

[JeteMc]

Sounds like the parentheses around the 'Total Paid' amounts indicate negative numbers. With one of the 'Total Paid' cells selected I would imagine that either the third or fourth choice under number format is highlighted when you press Ctrl + 1. If that is the case, and assuming B6 contains a 'Total Paid', then the formula =B6-B10 is subtracting a positive number from a negative number. I hope that is enough of a hint to be helpful.