If we consider the effect of taxes, then the degree of operating leverage can be written as:

DOL = 1 + [FC (1 -T_C) -T_C D] / OCF

Consider a project to supply Detroit with 30,000 tons of machine screws annually for automobile production. You will need an initial $4,200,000 investment in threading equipment to get the project started; the project will last for three years. The accounting department estimates that annual fixed costs will be $800,000 and that variable costs should be $250 per ton; accounting will depreciate the initial fixed asset investment straight-line to zero over the three-year project life. It also estimates a salvage value of $650,000 after dismantling costs. The marketing department estimates that the automakers will let the contract at a selling price of $360 per ton. The engineering department estimates you will need an initial net working capital investment of $420,000. You require a return of 15 percent and face a marginal tax rate of 38.

a.What is the percentage change in OCF if the units sold changes to 31,000?(Do not round intermediate calculations. Enter your answer as a percent rounded to 4 decimal places, e.g., 32.1616.)

Percentage change in OCF %

b.What is the DOL at the base-case level of output?(Do not round intermediate calculations and round your finalanswer to 4 decimal places, e.g., 32.1616.)

DOL