Downtown Industries recently sold 70,000 units, generating sales revenue of $4,900,000. The company's variable cost per unit and total fixed cost amounted to $20 and $2,800,000, respectively. Management is in the process of studying the dollar impact of various transactions and events, and desires answers to the following independent cases:

Case no. 1: Management wants to lower the firm's break-even point to 52,000 units. If all other costs remain constant, what must happen to fixed costs to achieve this objective?

Case no. 2: The company anticipates a $2 hike in the variable cost per unit. If all other costs remain constant and management desires to maintain the firm's current break-even point, what must happen to Downtown's selling price? If selling price remains constant, what must happen to the firm's total fixed costs?

Required:

A. Answer the two cases raised by management.

B. Determine the impact (increase, decrease, or no effect) of the following operating changes on the items cited:

1. An increase in variable selling costs on income.

2. A decrease in direct material cost on the unit contribution margin.

3. A decrease in the number of units sold on the break-even point.