A Slow Year: Deutsche Burgers Will Produce 38 Million Hambur
A Slow Year Deutsche Burgers Will Produce 38 Million Hamburgers
In a slow year, Deutsche Burgers will produce 3.8 million hamburgers at a total cost of $5.4 million. In a good year, it can produce 5.8 million hamburgers at a total cost of $6.5 million.
a. What are the fixed costs of hamburger production?
b. What is the variable cost per hamburger?
c. What is the average cost per burger when the firm produces 3 million hamburgers?
d. What is the average cost per burger when the firm produces 4 million hamburgers?
e. Why is the average cost lower when more burgers are produced?
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The analysis of production costs is fundamental in managerial accounting and economic decision-making. Fixed costs, variable costs, and average costs influence pricing strategies, output levels, and profitability. This paper examines a hypothetical scenario involving Deutsche Burgers to analyze and compute fixed costs, variable costs per unit, and average costs at different production levels. Additionally, it explores the economic rationale behind the reduction in average costs as output increases.
Fixed Costs of Hamburger Production
Fixed costs are expenses that do not change with the level of production; they are incurred regardless of output. To determine fixed costs, we utilize the data provided for two different production levels:
- Slow year: 3.8 million hamburgers at a total cost of $5.4 million
- Good year: 5.8 million hamburgers at a total cost of $6.5 million
Let FC denote fixed costs, and VC per burger denote variable cost per unit. The total cost (TC) can be expressed as:
\[ TC = FC + VC \times Q \]
Where \( Q \) is the quantity produced.
Using the two points:
\[
\begin{cases}
5.4 = FC + VC \times 3.8 \\
6.5 = FC + VC \times 5.8
\end{cases}
\]
Subtracting the first from the second:
\[
(6.5 - 5.4) = VC (5.8 - 3.8) \Rightarrow 1.1 = VC \times 2
\]
\[
VC = \frac{1.1}{2} = 0.55 \text{ million dollars per million hamburgers}
\]
Calculating fixed costs using either point:
\[
5.4 = FC + 0.55 \times 3.8
\]
\[
5.4 = FC + 0.55 \times 3.8 \Rightarrow 0.55 \times 3.8 = 2.09
\]
\[
FC = 5.4 - 2.09 = 3.31 \text{ million dollars}
\]
Answer:
- Fixed cost \( \approx \) \$3.3 million
Variable Cost Per Hamburger
From the calculation above:
\[
VC = \$0.55 \text{ million per million hamburgers}
\]
Since production is measured in millions:
\[
VC = \$0.55 \text{ million} / 1,000,000 = \$0.55
\]
Alternatively, on a per hamburger basis:
\[
VC_{per} = \$0.55 \text{ per hamburger}
\]
Expressed in dollars:
\[
\$0.55 \text{ per hamburger}
\]
Answer:
- Variable cost per burger \( \approx \) \$0.55
Average Cost When Producing 3 Million Hamburgers
Average cost per unit:
\[
AC = \frac{TC}{Q}
\]
with:
\[
TC = FC + VC \times Q
\]
\[
AC = \frac{3.3 + 0.55 \times 3}{3} \text{ million}
\]
Calculating:
\[
TC = 3.3 + 0.55 \times 3 = 3.3 + 1.65 = 4.95 \text{ million}
\]
\[
AC = \frac{4.95}{3} = 1.65 \text{ million dollars}
\]
Per burger:
\[
\$1.65 \text{ million} / 3,000,000 = \$0.55
\]
Answer:
- Average cost per burger \( \approx \) \$0.55
Average Cost When Producing 4 Million Hamburgers
Similarly:
\[
TC = 3.3 + 0.55 \times 4 = 3.3 + 2.2 = 5.5 \text{ million}
\]
\[
AC = \frac{5.5}{4} = 1.375 \text{ million}
\]
Per burger:
\[
\$1.375 \text{ million} / 4,000,000 = \$0.34375
\]
Answer:
- Average cost per burger \( \approx \) \$0.34
Why Is the Average Cost Lower When More Burgers Are Produced?
The primary reason is the spreading of fixed costs across a larger number of units. Fixed costs are constant in total, but on a per-unit basis, they decrease as production volume increases. This phenomenon is a key aspect of economies of scale, improving efficiency and lowering average costs with increased output. Variable costs, on the other hand, typically change proportionally with production, remaining consistent per unit in this context.
Conclusion
Analyzing Deutsche Burgers’ costs reveals that fixed costs are approximately $3.3 million, variable costs amount to about $0.55 per burger, and average costs decrease as production increases due to the fixed costs being spread over more units. These insights highlight the importance of scaling production to optimize costs and enhance profitability in manufacturing firms.
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