Breakeven Point and Operating Leverage Matthew Electronics m
(Break-even Point and Operating Leverage) Matthew Electronics manufactures a
 complete line of radio and communication equipment for law enforcement agencies.
 The average selling price of its finished product is $175 per unit. The variable cost for
 these same units is $140. Matthew’s incurs fixed costs of $550,000 per year.
 a. What is the break-even point in units for the company?
 b. What is the dollar sales volume the firm must achieve to reach the break-even
 point?
c. What would be the firm’s profit or loss at the following units of production sold:
 12,000 units?
 d. Find the degree of operating
Solution
Part A
Breakeven point in units = fixed costs / contribution margin Per unit
Contribution margin Per unit = selling price per unit - variable cost per unit =175-140=35
Breakeven point in units =550000/35=15714 units
Part B
Breakeven point in dollars = fixed cost / contribution margin ratio
Contribution margin ratio = contribution margin Per unit / selling price per unit = 35/175 =20%
Breakeven point in dollars = 550000/20%=2750000
Part C
Net loss : 130000
Part D
Degree of operating = (Sales - TVC) /(Sales-TVC-FC) =420000/-130000 = -3.23
| Sales (12000*175) | 2100000 | 
| Less: variable cost (12000*140) | 1680000 | 
| Contribution margin | 420000 | 
| Less: fixed costs | 550000 | 
| Net loss | (130000) | 

