Problem
Comparing Three Depreciation Methods
Dexter Industries purchased packaging equipment on January 8 for $512,400. The equipment was expected to have a useful life of four years, or 10,000 operating hours, and a residual value of $42,400. The equipment was used for 3,500 hours during Year 1, 2,100 hours in Year 2, 2,800 hours in Year 3, and 1,600 hours in Year 4.
Task
I. Determine the amount of depreciation expense for the four years ending December 31 by (i) the straight-line method, (ii) the units-of-activity method, and (iii) the double-declining-balance method. Also determine the total depreciation expense for the four years by each method. Round the answer for each year to the nearest whole dollar.
|
Depreciation Expense
|
|
Year
|
Straight-Line Method
|
Units-of-Activity Method
|
Double-Declining-
Balance Method
|
|
Year 1
|
$117,500
|
$164,500
|
$256,200
|
|
Year 2
|
$117,500
|
$98,700
|
$128,100
|
|
Year 3
|
$117,500
|
$131600
|
$64050
|
|
Year 4
|
$117,500
|
$75200
|
$?
|
|
Total
|
$470,000
|
$470000
|
$470,000
|
II. What method yields the highest depreciation expense for Year 1?
III. What method yields the most depreciation over the four-year life of the equipment?