Last month, Laredo Company sold 650 units for $125 each. During the month, fixed costs were $8,850 and variable costs were $75 per unit. Required: 1. Determine the unit contribution margin and contribution margin ratio. 2. Calculate the break-even point in units and sales dollars. 3. Compute Laredo’s margin of safety in units and as a percentage of sales.

Contribution margin is the net of sales price and variable cost of the product. It is the cost available to recover the fixed cost and make profit afterward.

1. Contribution margin = Sales price - Variable cost = $125 - $75 = $50

Contribution margin ratio = Contribution margin / Sale price = $50 / $125 = 40%

Break-even is the level of sales at which business has no profit no loss situation.

2. Break-even point = Fixed cost / Contribution margin per unit = $8,850 / $50 = 177 units

Break-even in $ = 177 units x $125 = $22,125

Margin of safety is the level of sales at which the business is safe from making loss. Margin of safety measures the profit after the break-even point.

3. Margin of Safety = Total sales - Break-even point = 650 units - 177 units = 473 units

Margin of safety to sales = ( Margin of safety / Total sales ) = ( 473 units / 650 units ) x 100 = 72.77%