An electronics firm is currently manufacturing an item that has a variable cost of $$0\mathrm{.}55$ per unit and a

selling price of $$7\mathrm{.}55$ per unit. Fixed costs are $$14,000.$ Current volume is $35,000$ units. The firm can

substantially improve the product quality by adding a new piece of equipment at an additional fixed cost of

$$5,600.$ Variable cost would increase to $$0\mathrm{.}70,$ but volume should jump to $70,000$ units due to

a higher$-$quality product.

Based on the given information, the decision should be to

new equipment is $

necessary$).$

$,$ since the profit with the

$($enter your response to the nearest whole number and include a minus sign if