Direct Materials Variances The following data relate to the direct materials cost for the production of automobile tires: Actual: 55,600lbs. at $1.75 per lb. Standard: 54,500lbs. at $1.70 per lb. minus sign and an unfavorable variance as a positive number. b. The direct materials price variance should normally be reported to the . When lower amounts of direct materials are used because of production efficiencies, the variance would be reported to the . When the favorable use of raw materials is caused by the purchase of higher-quality raw materials, the variance should be reported to the