You are asked to evaluate two machines. The benefits from ownership are identical. Machine A costs $300 to buy and install, lasts for 5 years, and costs $160 per yea to operate. Machine B costs $500, lasts for 7 years, and costs $120 per year to operate. Both machines have 0 salvage. Assuming that the machines will be replaced in perpetuity when they wear out, which machine do you recommend if the cost of capital is 15%?
a. Machine A
b. Machine B
c. Can’t be determined
d. Two machines are identical