Express the following comparative income statements in common-size percent. Using the common-size percentages, which item is most responsible for the decline in net income?

GOMEZ CORPORATION
Comparative Income Statements
For Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
2015 2014
$ % $ %
Sales $750,000 $695,000
Cost of goods sold 568,100 288,800
Gross profit 181,900 406,200
Operating expenses 128,000 272,000
Net income $53,900 $134,200

Milden company has an exclusive franchise to purchase a product from the manufacturer and distribute it on the retail level. as an aid in planning, the company has decided to start using a contribution format income statement. to have data to prepare such a statement, the company has analyzed its expenses and has developed the following cost formulas: cost cost formula cost of good sold $35 per unit sold advertising expense $210,000 per quarter sales commissions 6% of sales shipping expense ? administrative salaries $145,000 per quarter insurance expense $9,000 per quarter depreciation expense $76,000 per quarter management has concluded that shipping expense is a mixed cost, containing both variable and fixed cost elements. units sold and the related shipping expense over the last eight quarters follow: quarter units sold shipping expense year 1: first 10,000 $ 119,000 second 16,000 $ 175,000 third 18,000 $ 190,000 fourth 15,000 $ 164,000 year 2: first 11,000 $ 130,000 second 17,000 $ 185,000 third 20,000 $ 210,000 fourth 13,000 $ 147,000 milden company’s president would like a cost formula derived for shipping expense so that a budgeted contribution format income statement can be prepared for the next quarter. required: 1. using the high-low method, estimate a cost formula for shipping expe