MIXED COST ANALYSIS

Mixed costs are cost that contain both a variable-and a fixed-cost element. Mixed costs,
therefore, change in total but not proportionately with changes in the activity level.

The rental of a U-Haul truck is a good example of a mixed cost. Assume that local rental terms
for a 17-foot truck, including insurance, are $50 per day plus 50 cents per mile. When
determining the cost of a one-day rental, the per day charge is a fixed cost (with respect to
miles driven), whereas the mileage charge is a variable cost.

For purposes of cost-volume profit analysis, mixed costs must be classified into their fixed and
variable elements.

HIGH-LOW METHOD

The high-low method uses the total costs incurred at the high and low levels of activity to
classify mixed costs into fixed and variable components. The difference in costs between the
high and low levels represents variable costs, since only the variable-cost element can change
as activity levels change.

The steps in computing fixed and variable costs under this method are as follows.

1. Determine variable cost per unit from the following formula.

Change in + High minus Low = Variable Cost

Total Costs Activity Level per unit

2. Determine the fixed costs by subtracting the total variable costs at either the high or the
low activity level from the total cost at that activity level.

CVP Income Statement

Because CVP is so important for decision-making management often wants this information
reported in a cost-volume-profit (CVP) income statement format for internal use. The CVP
income statement classifies costs as variable or fixed of revenue remaining after deducting
variable costs. It is often stated both as a total amount and on a per unit basis.

We will use Capricorn Company to illustrate a CVP income statement. Capricorn Company
produces a high-definition digital camcorder with 15x optical zoom and a wide-screen, high-
resolution LCD monitor. Relevant data for the camcorders sold by this company in June 2017
are as follows.

Units selling price of camcorder $ 500

Unit variable costs $ 300
Total monthly fixed costs $ 200,000
Units sold 1,600

The CVP income statement for Capricorn therefore would be reported as follows.

Capricorn Company
CVP Income Statement
For the Month Ended June 30, 2017

Total
Sales (1,600 camcorders) $ 800,000
Variable costs 480,000
Contribution margin 320,000
Fixed costs 200,000
Net income $ 120,000
UNIT CONTRIBUTION MARGIN

The formula for unit contribution margin and the computation for Capricorn Company are as
follows.
Unit Selling - Unit Variable = Unit Contribution
Price Cost Margin
$ 500 - $ 300 = $ 200

Capricorn Company
CVP Income Statement
For the Month Ended June 30, 2017

Total Per Unit

Sales (1,000 camcorders) $ 500,000 $ 500
Variable costs 300,000 300
Contribution margin 200,000 $ 200
Fixed costs 200,000
Net income $ -0-

It follows that for every camcorder sold above the break-even point of 1,000 units, net income
increases by the amount of the unit contribution margin, $ 200. For example, assume that
Capricorn sold one more camcorder, for a total of 1,001 camcorders sold. In this case, Capricorn
reports net income of $200.
Capricorn Company
CVP Income Statement
For the Month Ended June 30, 2017

Total Per Unit

Sales (1,001 camcorders) $ 500,500 $ 500
Variable costs 300,300 300
Contribution margin 200,200 $ 200
Fixed costs 200,000
Net income $ 200

Capricorn Company
CVP Income Statement
For the Month Ended June 30, 2017

Total Percentage of Sales

Sales (1,001 camcorders) $ 500,000 100%
Variable costs 300,300 60
Contribution margin 200,200 40%
Fixed costs 200,000
Net income $ 200

Unit Contribution Unit Selling Contribution Margin

Margin + Price = Ratio
$ 200 $ 500 40%

Capricorn Company
CVP Income Statement
For the Month Ended June 30, 2017

No Change With Change__________

Percent of Percent of
Total Per Unit ___Sales Total Per Unit Sales__
Sales $ 350,000 $ 500 100% $ 600,000 $ 500 100%
Variable costs 300,000 300 60 360,000 300 60
Contribution margin 200,000 $ 200 40% $ 240,000 $ 200 40%
Fixed costs 200,000 200,000
Net income $ -0- $ 40,000
The break-even point can be:

1. Computed from a mathematical equation.

2. Computed by using contribution margin.
3. Derived from a cost-volume-profit (CVP) graph.

The break-even point can be expressed either in sales units or sales dollars.

MATHEMATICAL EQUATION

A common equation used for CVP analysis when net income is set to zero, this equation can be
used to calculate the break-even point.

Required Variable Fixed = Net

Sales - Costs - Costs Income
$ 500Q - $ 300Q - $ 200,000 = $0

As shown, net income equals zero when the contribution margin (sales minus variable costs) is
equal to fixed costs.

To rewrites the equation with contribution margin (sales minus variable costs) on the left side,
and fixed costs and net income on the right. We can compute the break-even point in units by
using unit selling prices and unit variable costs. The computation for Capricorn Company is as
follows.

Required Variable Fixed Net

Sales - Costs - Costs = Income
$ 500Q - $ 300 Q - $ 200,000 = $0
$ 500Q - $ 300Q = $ 200,000 + $0
$ 200Q = $ 200,000
Q = $ 200,000 = Fixed Costs
$ 200 Unit Contribution Margin
Q = 1,000 units
where
Q = sales volume in units
$ 500 = selling price
$ 300 = variable costs per unit
$200,000 = total fixed costs

CONTRIBUTION MARGIN TECHNIQUE

Many managers employ the contribution margin to compute the break-even point.

Contribution Margin Units

The final step, divides fixed costs by the unit contribution margin, thus, rather than walk
through all of the steps of the equation approach, we can simply employ this formula as shown
below.

Fixed + Unit Contribution = Break-even

Costs Margin Point in Units
$ 200,000 + $ 200 = 1,000 units
ALCATRAZ faces many situations where it needs to apply the decision tools presented, such as
calculating the break-even point to determine a product’s profitability. Alcatraz dominance of
the online retail space, selling other company’s products, is well known. But not everyone may
realize that Alcatraz also sells its own private-label electronics, including USB cables, mice,
keyboards, and audio cables, under the brand name Alcatraz Basics. Assume that Alcatraz
management was provided with the following information regarding the production and sales
of Bluetooth keyboards for tablet computers.

Cost Schedules

Variable costs
Direct labor per keyboard $ 8.00
Direct materials 4.00
Variable overhead 3.00
Variable cost per keyboard $ 15.00
Fixed costs
Manufacturing $ 25,000
Selling 40,000
Administrative 70,000
Total fixed costs $ 135,000
Selling price per keyboard $ 25.00
Sales 2017 (20,000 keyboards) $ 500,000

Instructions:
(Ignore any income tax consideration.)
(a) What is the operating income for 2017?
(b) What is the unit contribution margin for 2017?
(c) What is the break-even point in units for 2017?
(d) Assume that management set the sales target for the year 2018 at a level of $550,000
(22,00 keyboards). Alcatraz management believes that to attain the sales target in 2018,
the company must incur an additional selling expense of $10,000 for advertising in 2018,
with all other costs remaining constant. What will be the break-even point in sales dollars
for 2018 if the company spends the additional $10,000?
(e) If the company spends the additional $10,000 for advertising in 2018, what is the sales
level in dollars required to equal 2018 operating income?