Comparing Three Depreciation Methods Waylander Coatings Company purchased waterproofing equipment on January 6 for $538,400. The equipment was expected to have a useful life of four years, or 7,600 operating hours, and a residual value of $44,400. The equipment was used for 2,900 hours during Year 1, 2,400 hours in Year 2, 1,400 hours in Year 3, and 900 hours in Year 4.

Required:

1. Determine the amount of depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, and Year 4, by (a) the straight-line method, (b) the units-of-activity method, and (c) the double-declining-balance method. Also determine the total depreciation expense for the four years by each method. Note: FOR DECLINING BALANCE ONLY, round the multiplier to four decimal places. Then round the answer for each year to the nearest whole dollar.

2. What method yields the highest depreciation expense for Year 1?

3. What method yields the most depreciation over the four-year life of the equipment?