IBM, the large computer equipment and services company, stated in one of its annual reports that Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. What estimates are necessary to carry out this policy? What factors should be considered in making each of the estimates?

Using the annual reports of the corporation that you researched in the last week, indicate the method of depreciation used for the long-term assets. Are all of the assets depreciated by the same method? Please check the notes to the financial statements in the annual report to find this information.