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Daily Challenge — September 15, 2026

cost accounting · mixed

Pinnacle Defense Group is a defense contractor specializing in the production of tactical body armor systems for military and law enforcement agencies across North America. With a growing order backlog and rising overhead commitments, management wants to analyze current profitability at planned production levels and determine the break-even point to ensure sustainable operations.

Correct Answers

net Income

$4,779,500.00

break Even Sales

$2,379,104.87

break Even Units

3,600

contribution Margin Per Unit

267

Step-by-Step Solution

MIXED PROBLEM — Contribution Margin + Break-Even

CONTRIBUTION MARGIN INCOME STATEMENT:
  Sales (21,500 units × $661.00)         $14,211,500.00
  Less: Variable Costs (21,500 × $394.00) $8,471,000.00
  ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
  Contribution Margin                                   $5,740,500.00
  Less: Fixed Costs                                     $961,000.00
  ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
  Net Income                                            $4,779,500.00

Per Unit:
  CM per Unit = $661.00 − $394.00 = $267.00
  CM Ratio    = $267.00 ÷ $661.00 = 40.39%

BREAK-EVEN ANALYSIS:
  Break-Even Units = Fixed Costs ÷ CM per Unit
  Break-Even Units = $961,000.00 ÷ $267.00 = 3599.2509 → 3600 units (rounded up)

  Break-Even Sales = Fixed Costs ÷ CM Ratio
  Break-Even Sales = $961,000.00 ÷ 40.3933% = $2,379,104.87