The MixingMixing Department of Fresh FoodsFresh Foods had 50 comma 00050,000 units to account for in OctoberOctober. Of the 50 comma 00050,000 units, 25 comma 00025,000 units were completed and transferred to the next department, and 25 comma 00025,000 units were 3535% complete. All of the materials are added at the beginning of the process. Conversion costs are added evenly throughout the mixing process and the company uses the weighted-average method. Compute the total equivalent units of production for direct materials and conversion costs for OctoberOctober.

Fresh Foods

Equivalent Units for October:

a) Direct Materials:                        Units   % of completion   Equivalent Units    

Completed & transferred out   25,000     100%                     25,000

Ending work in process            25,000      100%                     25,000

Total equivalent unit for direct materials = 50,000

b) Conversion costs:                 Units   % of completion   Equivalent Units    

Completed & transferred out   25,000     100%                     25,000

Ending work in process            25,000      35%                        8,750

Total equivalent unit for conversion costs = 33,750

Explanation:

Equivalent unit of production is an expression of the amount of work done on units of output to show the degree of completion in an accounting period with regard to work in process.  When the degree of completion (usually a percentage) is applied to the physical units in process, then the resulting figure is the equivalent units completed.

The calculation of equivalent units helps in the allocation of costs to units in the process of production.  Usually, additional conversion costs will be incurred in subsequent periods on the partially completed units to add to the already incurred costs in the current period unlike with fully completed units.

Equivalent units are always 100% complete as to direct materials but less for other manufacturing processes.