for Garcia Home Improvement Company, consider the following expanded data at May 31, 2017. Assume Garcia uses LIFO inventory costing.

Replacement Sales Net Realizable Normal Cost Cost Price Value Profi t Aluminum siding $ 70,000 $ 62,500 $ 64,000 $ 56,000 $ 5,100 Cedar shake siding 86,000 79,400 94,000 84,800 7,400 Louvered glass doors 112,000 124,000 186,400 168,300 18,500 Thermal windows 140,000 126,000 154,800 140,000 15,400 Total $408,000 $391,900 $499,200 $449,100 $46,400 Instructions

(a) (1) Determine the proper balance in Allowance to Reduce Inventory to Market at May 31, 2017.
(2) For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, determine the amount of the gain or loss that would be recorded due to the change in Allowance to Reduce Inventory to Market.

(b) Explain the rationale for the use of the lower-of-cost-or-market rule as it applies to inventories.