Question

Jarett Motors is trying to decide whether it should keep its existing car washing machine or purchase a new one that has technological advantages (which translate into cost savings) over the existing machine. Information on each machine follows: Old machine New machine Original cost $9,000 $20,000 Accumulated depreciation 5,000 0 Annual cash operating costs 9,000 4,000 Current salvage value of old machine 2,000 Salvage value in 10 years 500 1,000 Remaining life 10 yrs 10 yrs Refer to Jarett Motors. The $4,000 of annual operating costs that are common to both the old and the new machine are an example of a(n):________ a. opportunity cost b. irrelevant cost c. future avoidable cost d. sunk cost

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct option is b. irrelevant cost.

Explanation:

An irrelevant cost can be described as an expense that will not be affected by the decisions of thee management. Therefore, irrelevant costs are those that will not change if you choose one option over another in the future.

Therefore, the $4,000 of annual operating costs that are common to both the old and the new machine are an example of irrelevant cost. This is because the 4,000 of annual operating costs will not be affected or will still be incurred whether Jarett Motors managment decide to keep its existing car washing machine or purchase a new one.

Therefore, the correct option is b. irrelevant cost.