John Fleming, chlef administrator for Valley View Hospital, Is concerned about the costs for tests in the hospital's lab. Charges for lab tests are consistently higher at Valley View than at other hospitals and have resulted In many complaints. Also, because of strict regulations on amounts relmbursed for lab tests, payments recelved from insurance companies and governmental units have not been high enough to cover lab costs. Mr. Fleming has asked you to evaluate costs in the hospital's lab for the past month. The following information is available: a. Two types of tests are performed in the lab-blood tests and smears. During the past month, 1,350 blood tests and 4,100 smears were performed in the lab. b. Small glass plates are used in both types of tests. During the past month, the hospital purchased 20,500 plates at a cost of $59,040. 3,100 of these plates were unused at the end of the month; no plates were on hand at the beginning of the month. c. During the past month, 3,100 hours of labor time were recorded in the lab at a cost of $35,185. d. The lab's varlable overhead cost last month totaled $26,970. Valley View Hospital has never used standard costs. By searching Industry IIterature, however, you have determined the following nationwide averages for hospital labs: Plates: Three plates are required per lab test. These plates cost $3.00 each and are disposed of after the test is completed. Labor: Each blood test should require 0.8 hours to complete, and each smear should require 0.40 hours to complete. The average cost of this lab time is $12.30 per hour. Overhead: Overhead cost is based on direct labor-hours. The average rate for varlable overhead is $8.20 per hour. Required: 1. Compute a materials price varlance for the plates purchased last month and a materlals quantity varlance for the plates used last month. 2. For labor cost in the lab: a. Compute a labor rate variance and a labor efficiency varlance. b. In most hospitals, one-half of the workers in the lab are senlor techniclans and one-half are assistants. In an effort to reduce costs, Valley View Hospital employs only one-fourth senlor techniclans and three-fourths assistants. Would you recommend that this policy be continued? 3-a. Compute the varlable overhead rate and efficlency varlances. 3-b. Is there any relation between the varlable overhead efficlency varlance and the labor efficiency varlance? Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Compute a materials price variance for the plates purchased last month and a materials quantity variance for the plates used last month. (Indicate the effect of each variance by selecting " F " for favorable, " U " for unfavorable, and "None" for no effect (i.e., zero variance). Input all amounts as positive values.)