Simple company acquired new equipment for processing line to make plastic pipe. The equipment has an unadjusted basis of B =$400,000, a life of only 3 years, and a salvage value of 5% of B. The chief engineer asked the graduate engineer to provide an analysis of the difference between (1) the DDB method, which is the internal book depreciation and book value method used at the plant, and (2) the required MACRS tax depreciation and its book value. He is especially curious about the differences after 2 years of service for this short-lived, but expensive asset.

(a) Determine which method offers the larger total depreciation after 2 years.

(b) Determine the book value for each method after 2 years and at the end of the recovery period.

Hint: Show all necessary steps