4. in several perfectly competitive markets for minerals used as inputs in digital devices, persistent increases in demand eventually have generated long-run increases in the market prices of these devices. describe in words the types of adjustments that must have occurred in these markets to have brought about this outcome, and evaluate whether such mineral-extraction industries are increasing-, constant-, or decreasing-cost industries.

Aproperty title search firm is contemplating using online software to increase its search productivity. currently an average of 40 minutes is needed to do a title search. the researcher cost is $2 per minute. clients are charged a fee of $400. company a's software would reduce the average search time by 10 minutes, at a cost of $3.50 per search. company b's software would reduce the average search time by 12 minutes at a cost of $3.60 per search. which option would have the higher productivity in terms of revenue per dollar of input?

Mordica company identifies three activities in its manufacturing process: machine setups, machining, and inspections. estimated annual overhead cost for each activity is $156,960, $382,800, and $84,640, respectively. the cost driver for each activity and the expected annual usage are number of setups 2,180, machine hours 25,520, and number of inspections 1,840. compute the overhead rate for each activity. machine setups $ per setup machining $ per machine hour inspections $ per inspection

Milden company has an exclusive franchise to purchase a product from the manufacturer and distribute it on the retail level. as an aid in planning, the company has decided to start using a contribution format income statement. to have data to prepare such a statement, the company has analyzed its expenses and has developed the following cost formulas: cost cost formula cost of good sold $35 per unit sold advertising expense $210,000 per quarter sales commissions 6% of sales shipping expense ? administrative salaries $145,000 per quarter insurance expense $9,000 per quarter depreciation expense $76,000 per quarter management has concluded that shipping expense is a mixed cost, containing both variable and fixed cost elements. units sold and the related shipping expense over the last eight quarters follow: quarter units sold shipping expense year 1: first 10,000 $ 119,000 second 16,000 $ 175,000 third 18,000 $ 190,000 fourth 15,000 $ 164,000 year 2: first 11,000 $ 130,000 second 17,000 $ 185,000 third 20,000 $ 210,000 fourth 13,000 $ 147,000 milden company’s president would like a cost formula derived for shipping expense so that a budgeted contribution format income statement can be prepared for the next quarter. required: 1. using the high-low method, estimate a cost formula for shipping expe