EXERCISE 5-10 (CONTINUED)

2. (Students’ answers will vary considerably due to the inherent impreci-sion of the quick-and-dirty method.) The approximate monthly fixed cost is $30,000—the point where the line intersects the cost axis. The variable cost per unit processed can be estimated using the 8,000-unit level of activity, which falls on the line: Total cost at an 8,000-unit level of activity ... $46,000Less fixed costs... 30,000Variable costs at an 8,000-unit level of activity ... $16,000 $16,000 ÷ 8,000 units = $2 per unit. Therefore, the cost formula is $30,000 per month plus $2 per unit proc-essed. Observe from the scattergraph that if the company used the high-low method to determine the slope of the regression line, the line would be too steep. This would result in underestimating fixed costs and overes-timating the variable cost per unit.

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Solutions Manual, Chapter 5

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