Scott Piper Corporation purchased machinery on January 1, 1996, at a cost of \(\$ 243,000\). The estimated useful life of the machinery is 5 years, with an estimated residual value at the end of that period of \(\$ 12,000\). The company is considering different depreciation methods that could be used for financial reporting purposes.

\section*{Instructions}

(a) Prepare separate depreciation schedules for the machinery using the straight-line method, and the declining-balance method using double the straight-line rate.

(b) Which method would result in the higher reported 1996 income? In the highest total reported income over the 5 -year period?

(c) Which method would result in the lower reported 1996 income? In the lowest total reported income over the 5 -year period?