Question

The Cheyenne Hotel in Big Sky, Montana, has accumulated records of the total electrical costs of the hotel and the number of occupancy-days over the last year. An occupancy-day represents a room rented out for one day. The hotel's business is highly seasonal, with peaks occurring during the ski season and in the summer. Month Occupancy- Days Electrical Costs January 3,030 $ 9,044 February 3,080 $ 9,234 March 3,980 $ 11,913 April 1,630 $ 6,194 May 1,270 $ 4,826 June 2,110 $ 8,018 July 650 $ 2,470 August 3,690 $ 11,552 September 1,960 $ 7,448 October 4,410 $ 12,998 November 1,600 $ 6,080 December 2,230 $ 8,474 Required: 1. Using the high-low method, estimate the fixed cost of electricity per month and the variable cost of electricity per occupancy-day. (Do not round your intermediate calculations. Round your Variable cost answer to 2 decimal places and Fixed cost element answer to nearest whole dollar amount) 2. What other factors other than occupancy-days are likely to affect the variation in electrical costs from month to month

Answer 1

Answer:

1.Occupancy days $3,760

Electrical costs $10,528

Variable cost=2.80

Fixed cost=$650

2. Seasonal factors

Systematic factors

Number of days

Explanation:

1.Calculation using high and low method for both Occupancy days and Electricity cost

Occupancy Electrical

Days Costs

High activity level 4,410 12,998

Low activity level 650 2,470

Change 3,760 10,528

Calculation for Variable cost of electricity per occupancy-day.

Using this formula

Variable cost= Electricity cost/Occupancy days

Let plug in the formula

Variable cost=10,528/3,760

Variable cost=2.80

Calculation for Fixed cost of electricity per month

Fixed cost=2,470-(650*2.80)

Fixed cost=2,470-1,820

Fixed cost=$650

2. Factors that are likely to affect the variation in electrical costs from month to month will include the following:

Seasonal factors

Systematic factors

Number of days

Seasonal factors can either be winter or summer.

Systematic factors include either having guests, To switch off fans as well as lights.

Number of days are days that are present in a month.