Comparing Three Depreciation Methods

Waylander Coatings Company purchased waterproofing equipment on January 6 for $540,600. The equipment was expected to have a useful life of four years, or 8,000 operating hours, and a residual value of $44,600. The equipment was used for 3,000 hours during Year 1, 2,500 hours in Year 2, 1,400 hours in Year 3, and 1,100 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-output 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.

Depreciation Expense
Year	Straight-Line Method	Units-of-Output Method	Double-Declining-Balance Method
Year 1	$	$	$
Year 2	$	$	$
Year 3	$	$	$
Year 4	$	$	$
Total	$	$	$

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?