Phoenix was a professional classical guitar player until a motorcycle accident left him disabled.After long months of therapy,he hired an experienced luthier and started a small shop to make and sell Spanish guitars.The guitars sell for $700,and the fixed monthly operating costs are as follows: $$\begin{array} { | l | r | }
\hline \text { Rent and utilities } & \$ 810 \
\hline \text { Wages and benefits to luthier } & 2500 \
\hline \text { Other expenses } & 480 \
\hline
\end{array}$$ Phoenix's accountant told him about contribution margin ratios,and Phoenix understood clearly that for every dollar of sales,$0.60 went to cover his fixed costs,and anything above that point was profit.
Phoenix is planning to increase the sales price to $750.What impact will the increase in sales price have on the contribution margin ratio?
A) It will stay the same.
B) It will increase to 53.33%.
C) It will increase to approximately 62.67%.
D) It will decrease to approximately 49.33%.

Question

Phoenix was a professional classical guitar player until a motorcycle accident left him disabled.After long months of therapy,he hired an experienced luthier and started a small shop to make and sell Spanish guitars.The guitars sell for $700,and the fixed monthly operating costs are as follows: $$\begin{array} { | l | r | } 
\hline \text { Rent and utilities } & \$ 810 \
\hline \text { Wages and benefits to luthier } & 2500 \
\hline \text { Other expenses } & 480 \
\hline
\end{array}$$ Phoenix's accountant told him about contribution margin ratios,and Phoenix understood clearly that for every dollar of sales,$0.60 went to cover his fixed costs,and anything above that point was profit.
Phoenix is planning to increase the sales price to $750.What impact will the increase in sales price have on the contribution margin ratio?
A) It will stay the same.
B) It will increase to 53.33%.
C) It will increase to approximately 62.67%.
D) It will decrease to approximately 49.33%.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The contribution margin ratio is calculated as (Sales - Variable Costs) / Sales. Increasing the sales price from $700 to $750 without increasing variable costs increases the amount of each sale that goes towards covering fixed costs and profit, thus increasing the contribution margin ratio.

Phoenix Was a Professional Classical Guitar Player Until a Motorcycle