Alameda Tile sells products to many people remodeling their homes and thinks that it could profitably offer courses on tile installation, which might also increase the demand for its products. The basic installation course has the following (tentative) price and cost characteristics. Tuition $ 800 per student Variable costs (tiles, supplies, and so on) 480 per student Fixed costs (advertising, salaries, and so on) 160,000 per year Required: a. What enrollment will enable Alameda Tile to break even? b. How many students will enable Alameda Tile to make an operating profit of $80,000 for the year? c. Assume that the projected enrollment for the year is 800 students for each of the following (considered independently): 1. What will be the operating profit (for 800 students)? 2. What would be the operating profit if the tuition per student (that is, sales price) decreased by 10 percent? Increased by 20 percent? 3. What would be the operating profit if variable costs per student decreased by 10 percent? Increased by 20 percent? 4. Suppose that fixed costs for the year are 10 percent lower than projected, whereas variable costs per student are 10 percent higher than projected. What would be the operating profit for the year?

Alameda Tile

a. The enrollment to enable Alameda Tile to break even = 500 students.

b. To make an operating profit of $80,000, number of students

= 750 students

c. With projected enrollment for the year of 800 students:

1. Operating profit = Total Contribution - Fixed Costs

= ($320 * 800) - $160,000

= $96,000

2. a) Operating Profit, if the tuition per student decreased by 10%.

New selling price = $720  which is $800 * (1 - 10%)

Variable cost             480

Contribution           $240

Operating profit = Total Contribution - Fixed Costs

= ($240 * 800) - $160,000

= $32,000

2. b) Operating Profit, if the tuition per student increased by 20%.

New selling price = $960  which is $800 * (1 + 20%)

Variable cost             480

Contribution           $480

Operating profit = Total Contribution - Fixed Costs

= ($480 * 800) - $160,000

= $224,000

3. a) Operating Profit, if variable costs per student decreased by 10%.

Selling price =         $800

Variable cost             432     $480 * (1 - 10%)

Contribution           $368

Operating profit = Total Contribution - Fixed Costs

= ($368 * 800) - $160,000

= $134,400

3. b) Operating Profit, if variable costs per student increased by 20%.

Selling price =         $800

Variable cost             576     $480 * (1 + 20%)

Contribution           $224

Operating profit = Total Contribution - Fixed Costs

= ($224 * 800) - $160,000

= $19,200

4. Operating profit, if fixed costs reduced by 10% and variable cost increased by 10%:

Selling price =         $800

Variable cost             528     $480 * (1 + 10%)

Contribution           $272

Operating profit = Total Contribution - Fixed Costs

= ($272 * 800) - $144,000 ($160,000 * (1 - 10%)

= $73,600

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Tentative Price and Cost Characteristics:

Tuition $ 800 per student

Variable costs (tiles, supplies, and so on) 480 per student

Fixed costs (advertising, salaries, and so on) 160,000 per year

Per unit       Tentative

Selling price = $800

Variable cost    480

Contribution  $320

b) Computation of break-even point:

To break-even with fixed cost of $160,000, sales unit will be equal to:

Fixed cost/Contribution per unit = $160,000/$320 = 500 students

c) Fixed cost + Target Profit /Contribution per unit:

= ($160,000 + $80,000)/$320

= $240,000/320

= 750 students