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

Sales $ $1,572,000$

Variable expenses $595,580$

Contribution margin $976,420$

Fixed expenses $1,074,000$

Net operating income $($loss$)$ $ $(97,580)$

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 $ $362,000$ $ $680,000$ $ $530,000$

Variable expenses as a percentage of sales $54\%30\%37\%$

Traceable fixed expenses $ $298,000$ $ $324,000$ $ $207,000$

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 $$28,000$ will increase that division's sales by $15\%.$ 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?