Question

Tanek Corp.'s sales slumped badly in 2017. For the first time in its history, it operated at a loss. The company's income statement showed the following results from selling 500,00 units of product: sales $2,500,000, total cost and expenses $2,600,000, and net loss $100,000. Costs and expenses consisted of the amounts shown below.
Total Variable Fixed
Cost of goods sold $2,140,000 $1,590,000 $550,000
Selling expenses 250,000 92,000 158,000
Administrative expenses 210,000 68,000 142,000
$2,600,000 $1,750,000 $850,000
Management is considering the following independent alternatives for 2018.
1. Increase unit selling price 20% with no change in costs, expenses, and sales volume.
2. Change the compensation of salespersons from fixed annual salaries totaling $150,000 to total salaries of $60,000 plus a 5% commission on sales.
(a) Compute the break-even point in dollars for 2017. (Round final answer to 0 decimal places.)
(b) Compute the contribution margin under each of the alternative courses of action. (Round final answer to 0 decimal places.)
(c) Compute the break-even point in dollars under each of the alternative courses of action. (Round selling price per unit to 2 decimal places and other calculations to 0 decimal places.)
Break-even point for alternative 1 $
Break-even point for alternative 2 $
Which course of action do you recommend?

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) Compute the break-even point in dollars for 2017. (Round final answer to 0 decimal places.)

total variable costs per unit = $1,750,000 / 500,000 = $3.50

sales price per unit = $2,500,000 / 500,000 = $5

contribution margin per unit = $5 - $3.50 = $1.50

total fixed costs = $850,000

break even point in units = $850,000 / $1.50 = 566,667 units

break even point in $ = 566,667 units x $5 = $2,833,335

(b) Compute the contribution margin under each of the alternative courses of action.

alternative 1) $6 - $3.50 = $2.50

alternative 2) $5 - $3.75 = $1.25

(c) Compute the break-even point in dollars under each of the alternative courses of action. (Round selling price per unit to 2 decimal places and other calculations to 0 decimal places.)

alternative 1:

break even point in units = $850,000 / $2.50 = 340,000 units

break even point in $ = 340,000 units x $6 = $2,040,000

alternative 2:

break even point in units = $760,000 / $1.25 = 608,000 units

break even point in $ = 608,000 units x $5 = $3,040,000

Which course of action do you recommend?

If I had to choose between alternative 1 or 2, I would choose alternative 1.