Question

Song, Inc., uses the high-low method to analyze cost behavior. The company observed that at 22,000 machine hours of activity, total maintenance costs averaged $33.40 per hour. When activity jumped to 25,000 machine hours, which was still within the relevant range, the average total cost per machine hour was $30.40.On the basis of this information, the variable cost per machine hour was:___________A. $8.40.B. $22.00.C. $25.00.D. $30.40.E. $33.40.

Answer 1

Answer:

Variable cost per unit= $8.4

Explanation:

First, we need to calculate the total cost for each level of machine hours:

Low activity level:

Total cost= 22,000*33.4= $734,800

High activity level:

Total cost= 25,000*30.4= $760,000

Now, we can determine the variable and fixed costs:

Variable cost per unit= (Highest activity cost - Lowest activity cost)/ (Highest activity units - Lowest activity units)

Variable cost per unit= (760,000 - 734,800) / (25,000 - 22,000)

Variable cost per unit= $8.4

Fixed costs= Highest activity cost - (Variable cost per unit * HAU)

Fixed costs= 760,000 - (8.4*25,000)

Fixed costs= $550,000

Fixed costs= LAC - (Variable cost per unit* LAU)

Fixed costs= 734,800 - (8.4*22,000)

Fixed costs= $550,000