Antioch Extraction, which mines ore in Montana, uses a calendar year for both financial-reporting and tax purposes. The following selected costs were incurred in December, the low point of activity, when 1,250 tons of ore were extracted:

Straight-line depreciation	$	27,500
Charitable contributions*		7,500
Mining labor/fringe benefits		200,000
Royalties		151,250
Trucking and hauling		201,195

*Incurred only in December. Peak activity of 2,550 tons occurred in June, resulting in mining labor/fringe benefit costs of $408,000, royalties of $274,750, and trucking and hauling outlays of $256,195. The trucking and hauling outlays exhibit the following behavior:

Less than 1,250 tons	$	173,695
From 1,2501,749 tons		201,195
From 1,7502,249 tons		228,695
From 2,2502,749 tons		256,195

Antioch uses the high-low method to analyze costs. Required: 1. Classify the five costs listed in terms of their behavior: variable, step-variable, committed fixed, discretionary fixed, step-fixed, or semivariable. 2. Calculate the total cost for next February when 1,550 tons are expected to be extracted. 3-a. Is hauling 1,250 tons with respect to Antiochs trucking/hauling cost behavior cost-effective? 3-b. If the company plans to extract 1,250 tons, at what number of tons can cost-effectiveness be achieved? 4. Distinguish between committed and discretionary fixed costs. If Antioch were to experience severe economic difficulties, which of the two types of fixed costs should management try to cut? 5. Speculate as to why the companys charitable contribution cost arises only in December.

Ques )

Calculate the total cost for next February when 1,550 tons are expected to be extracted

Total cost

If the company plans to extract 1,250 tons, at what number of tons can cost-effectiveness be achieved?

Number of tons