Answer:
a. The total profit would be positively affected as it increases
Explanation:
1. We calculate the value of revenue per 8000 gallons with the initial chemical compound and processed into the new variant
Revenue Initial Chemical Compound= 8000 gallons X ($52/gallon)
Revenue Initial Chemical Compound=<em><u> $ 416.000</u></em>
Revenue Chemical compound processed into the new variant=8000 gallons X ($83/gallon)
Revenue Chemical compound processed into the new variant= <u><em>$ 664.000</em></u>
2. If we consider that the other production costs will be the same for the two chemical compounds, then the only difference will be the processing cost to refine the basic compound into the new variant. For this reason, we substract only the value of processing the basic compound into the new variant for the revenue of this.
<u><em>$ 664.000 - $160.000= $504.000</em></u>
3. The benefit values for each case are:
Initial Chemical Compound: $416.000
Chemical compound processed into the new variant: $504.000
In conclusion, greater benefit is obtained by processing the basic compound in the new variant than if the basic compound were sold only