Answer:
a. The variable cost per rental return is $4.04.
b. The monthly fixed cost Incurred to wash cars is $1,376.
Explanation:
Note: See the attached excel file for the calculations of Rental Returns (x), Car Wash Costs (y), xy, and x^2.
Since Σ = Total of or summation of, we can therefore obtain the following from the attached excel file:
Σx = 34,854
Σy = 157,317
Σxy = 462,541,971
Σx^2 = 102,623,516
N = Number of months = 12
a. calculation of variable cost per rental return
To calculate the variable cost per rental return, the following formula is used:
Variable cost per rental return = (NΣxy − ΣxΣy) /((NΣx²) − (Σx)²) ……………… (1)
Substituting the relevant values into equation (1), we have:
Variable cost per rental return = ((12 * 462,541,971) - (34,854 * 157,317)) / (((12 * 102,623,516) - 34,854^2)
Variable cost per rental return = 4.03917240317595
Rounding to 2 decimal places as required, we have:
Variable cost per rental return = $4.04
Therefore, the variable cost per rental return is $4.04.
b. Calculation of monthly fixed cost Incurred to wash cars
To calculate the monthly fixed cost Incurred to wash cars, the following formula is used:
Fixed Cost per month = {Σy - (Variable cost per rental return * Σx) / N ....... (2)
Substituting the relevant values into equation (2), we have:
Fixed Cost per month = (157,317 - (4.04 * 34,854)) / 12
Fixed Cost per month = $1,375.57
Rounding to the nearest whole dollar amount as required, we have:
Fixed Cost per month = $1,376
Therefore, the monthly fixed cost Incurred to wash cars is $1,376.
