Mid-Quarter vs. Half-Year Convention. (Obj. 1) A calendar-year taxpayer acquired four new machines in 2015 on the dates shown below. Section 179 is not elected, but regular MACRS is used to depreciate the machines. a. Compute total depreciation expense for 2015 that would be reported on Schedule C, using the appropriate averaging convention. b. Same as in Part a., except that the third machine was acquired on September 30 (instead of October 1). Comment on the significance of the difference between this amount and your answer to Part a