Question

Elliot, Inc., uses the high-low method to analyze cost behavior. The company observed that at 20,000 machine hours of activity, total maintenance costs averaged $10.50 per hour. When activity jumped to 24,000 machine hours, which was still within the relevant range, the average total cost per machine hour was $9.75. On the basis of this information, the company's fixed maintenance costs were:

Answer 1

Answer:

$90,000

Explanation:

At the activity level of 20,000 machine hours:

total maintenance costs=20,000* $10.50=$210,000

At the activity level of 24,000 machine hours:

total maintenance costs=24,000*$9.75=$234,000

variable maintenance cost per hour=(total maintenance costs at higher activity level-total maintenance costs at lower activity level)/(higher activity level-lower activity level)

variable maintenance cost per hour=($234,000-$210,000)/(24000-20000)

variable maintenance cost per unit=$6

Using the higher activity level data:

total cost=fixed cost+(variable maintenance cost per unit*number of hours)

$234,000=fixed cost+($6*24000)

234,000=fixed cost+$144,000

fixed cost=$234,000-$144,000

fixed cost=$90,000