Assume that Sample Company purchased factory equipment on January 1, 2012, for $60,000.The equipment has an estimated life of five years and an estimated residual value of $6,000. Sample's accountant is considering whether to use the straight-line or the units-of-production method to depreciate the asset. Because the company is beginning a new production process, the equipment will be used to produce 10,000 units in 2012, but production subsequent to 2012 will increase by 10,000 units each year.
Required
Calculate the depreciation expense, accumulated depreciation, and book value of the equipment under the straight-line method for each of the five years of its life. Would the units-of-production method yield reasonable results in this situation? Explain.