Wingate Company, a wholesale distributor of electronic equipment, has been experiencing losses as shown by its most recent monthly contribution format income statement:

Sales $ $1,628,000$

Variable expenses $692,300$

Contribution margin $935,700$

Fixed expenses $1,029,000$

Net operating income $($loss$)$ $ $(93,300)$

In an effort to resolve the problem, the company wants to prepare an income statement segmented by division. Accordingly, the Accounting Department provided the following information:

Division

East Central West

Sales $ $428,000$ $ $690,000$ $ $510,000$

Variable expenses as a percentage of sales $55\%30\%49\%$

Traceable fixed expenses $ $293,000$ $ $328,000$ $ $208,000$

Required:

$1.$ Prepare a contribution format income statement segmented by divisions.

$2-$a$.$ The Marketing Department believes increasing the West Division's monthly advertising by $$26,000$ will increase that division's sales by $16\%.$ Assuming these estimates are accurate, how much would the company's net operating income increase $($decrease$)$ if the proposal is implemented?

$2-$b$.$ Would you recommend the increased advertising?