Hamilton Stage Supplies is a manufacturer of a specialized type of light used in theaters. Information on the first three years of business is as follows:
Required:
a. Calculate profit and the value of ending inventory for each year using full costing.
b. Explain why profit fluctuates from year to year even though the number of units sold, the selling price, and the cost structure remain constant.
c. Calculate profit and the value of ending inventory for each year using variable costing.
d. Explain why, using variable costing, profit does not fluctuate from year to year.