Question

Three graduate business students are considering operating a fruit smoothie stand in the Harbor Springs, Michigan, resort area during their summer break. This is an alternative to summer employment with a local firm, where they would each earn $6,000 over the three-month summer period. A fully equipped facility can be leased at a cost of $8,000 for the summer. Additional projected costs are $1,000 for insurance and $3.20 per unit for materials and supplies. Their fruit smoothies would be priced at $5 per unit.
a. What is the accounting cost function for this business?
b. What is the economic cost function for this business?
c. What is the economic breakeven number of units for this operation?
(Assume a $5 price and ignore interest costs associated with the timing of lease payments.)

Answer 1

Answer:

a. 8,000 + 1,000 + 3.2Q

b. 27,000 + 3.2Q

c. 15,000 Units

Explanation:

a. The accounting cost function is shown below:-

Accounting cost function = Fixed Leasing and insurance cost + material cost and supplied cost

= 8,000 + 1,000 + 3.2Q

b. The economic cost function is shown below:-

Economic cost function  = Accounting cost + Opportunity cost

= 9,000 + 3.2Q + 3*6,000

=27,000 + 3.2Q

c. The computation of break even point is shown below:-

Break even Point = Total Fixed Cost ÷ Price - Average Variable cost

= 27,000 ÷ 5 - 3.2

= 15,000 Units