Financial Statement Effects of Depreciation Methods On July 1, 2008, the consulting firm of Little, Smart, and Quick bought a new computer for

$120,000 to help it service its clients more efficiently. The new computer was estimated to have a useful life of five years with an estimated salvage value of $20,000 at the end of five years. It was further estimated that the computer would be in operation about 1,500 hours in each of the five years with some variation of use from year to year. Janet Little, who manages the firm’s internal operations, has asked you to help her decide which depreciation method should be selected for the new computer. The methods being considered are straight-line, double-declining-balance, and sum-of-the-years’-digits. 

Required:
1. Prepare a schedule showing depreciation for 2008, 2009, and 2010 for each of the three methods being considered.
2. For each of the three methods, compute the asset book value that would be reported on the balance sheet at December 31, 2010.
3. Interpretive Question: Which method would maximize income for the three years (2008–2010), and which would minimize income for the same period?