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b) Then use the high-low method to estimate the fixed and variable components of

ID: 2483598 • Letter: B

Question

b) Then use the high-low method to estimate the fixed and variable components of the cost of sales.

1

Bell Bike Co. report the following information about its sales and cost of sales. a) Draw and estimated line of cost behavior using a scattered diagram and compute fixed costs per unit sold.

b) Then use the high-low method to estimate the fixed and variable components of the cost of sales.

Period Units sold cost of sales

1

- $2500 2 400 $3100 3 800 $3700 4 1200 $4300 5 1600 $4900 6 2000 $5500 7 2400 $6100 8 2800 $6700 9 3200 $7300 10 3600 $7900

Explanation / Answer

(A)

Estimated line of cost behavior

- Since at 0 unit sold cost of sales is $2,500 therefore fixed cost is $2,500.

- Variable cost at 400 unit sold = Total cost of sales - Fixed cost

                                         400 = 3,100 - 2500

                                             = 600 / 400

                                             = $1.5

(B) High low method

The high-low method uses the highest and lowest activity levels of a data set to estimate the portion of a mixed cost that is variable and the portion that is fixed.

Formula to calculate variable cost per unit sold =

Y2 - Y1 / X2 - X1

X2 is the high activity level

            X1 is the low activity level

            Y2 is the total cost at the high activity level

            Y1 is the total cost at the low activity level

Variable cost per unit = $7,900 - $2500 / $3,600 - Nil

                                = $5,400 / $3,600

                                = $1.5

Calculation of fixed cost = Total cost of sale at 400 units - Variable cost at 400 unit sale

                                    = 3,100 - (400*1.5)

                                    = 3,100 - 600

                                    = 2,500

Therefore variable cost per unit is $1.5 and fixed cost is $2,500.

Y2 - Y1 / X2 - X1