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Daily Challenge — August 26, 2026

cost accounting · mixed

Quarry Hill Systems is a mid-sized manufacturer based in Vermont that produces rugged industrial data acquisition terminals used in mining and quarrying operations. After a slower-than-expected sales year, management wants to analyze the company's profitability at current volume and determine the break-even point to guide next year's production and pricing strategy.

Correct Answers

net Income

-$728,800.00

break Even Sales

$3,696,750.00

break Even Units

10,841

contribution Margin Per Unit

176

Step-by-Step Solution

MIXED PROBLEM — Contribution Margin + Break-Even

CONTRIBUTION MARGIN INCOME STATEMENT:
  Sales (6,700 units × $341.00)         $2,284,700.00
  Less: Variable Costs (6,700 × $165.00) $1,105,500.00
  ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
  Contribution Margin                                   $1,179,200.00
  Less: Fixed Costs                                     $1,908,000.00
  ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
  Net Income                                            $728,800.00

Per Unit:
  CM per Unit = $341.00 − $165.00 = $176.00
  CM Ratio    = $176.00 ÷ $341.00 = 51.61%

BREAK-EVEN ANALYSIS:
  Break-Even Units = Fixed Costs ÷ CM per Unit
  Break-Even Units = $1,908,000.00 ÷ $176.00 = 10840.9091 → 10841 units (rounded up)

  Break-Even Sales = Fixed Costs ÷ CM Ratio
  Break-Even Sales = $1,908,000.00 ÷ 51.6129% = $3,696,750.00