Answer:
Machine A should be purchased because it has a lower equivalent annual cost . Hence, it is cheaper.
Explanation:
Equivalent Annual cost is the Present Value of the total cost over the investment period divided by the appropriate annuity factor.
Step 1 : Equivalent Annual cost of Machine A
PV of cash flows
PV of purchase cost = 487,000
PV of annual operating cost of $29,000
= 29,000× (1-(1+0.14)^(-6))/0.14
= 112,771.35
Total PV = 487,000 + 112,771.35= 599,771.35
Equivalent annual cost = 599,771.35 /3.889
Equivalent annual cost = 154,235.70
Step 2: Equivalent Annual cost of Machine B
PV of purchase cost = 315,000
PV of annual operating cost of $51,200
= 51,200× (1-(1+0.14)^(-4))/0.14
= 149,182.07
Total PV = 315,000+ 149,182.07
= 464,182.07
Equivalent annual cost = 464,182.07/2.9137
Equivalent annual cost = 159,309.51
Step 3: Compare equivalent Annual cost
Comparing the two equivalent costs, we conclude that Machine A should be purchased because it has a lower equivalent annual cost and therefore it is cheaper.
