for cost of capital etc, i understand we have to use the tables. but for things like 1.0455 and discounting for few years, can i calc myself? im confused how to use the table in that case. all this while i was basing on my calcs.. approximations and usually getting around it. but it says in paper, marks for using tables?? please can you advise. btw, John ur a lifesaver. thanks for answering my queries. :-}
It is up to you whether you use the tables or calculate yourself. They will give the same answer (apart from rounding in the tables, but you do not lose marks for rounding).
I am not sure from your question whether you mean that you know the formula for calculating the discount factors or not, but if you do not then they are printed at the top of the discount factor tables.