Yellow Theory, Inc. operates a chain of fitness centres in the Montreal area. The firm's VP of Finance is accumulating data to be used in preparing its annual profit plan for the coming year. The cost behavior pattern of the firm's equipment maintenance costs must be determined. The accounting staff has suggested the use of the high-low method to predict equipment maintenance costs. Data for the most recent 12 months of activity is outlined in Table A. Table A Month Hours of Maintenance Service 520 Maintenanco Costs $4,470 490 4,260 January February March April 300 2,820 500 May 310 480 320 June July August September October 400 4,250 2,960 4,200 3,000 3,600 4,050 3,300 3,160 3,030 $43.100 470 350 November 340 320 December Total 4,800 Required: a) Using the high-low method of cost estimation, estimate the behavior of the maintenance costs incurred by Yellow Theory Fitness. Express the cost behavior pattern in equation form. b) Using your answer to requirement a), what is the variable component of the maintenance cost? 2 c) Compute the predicted maintenance cost at 590 hours of activity. d) Compute the variable cost per hour and the fixed cost per hour at 600 hours of activity. Explain why the fixed cost per hour could be misleading