Response to the following problem:
Providence Medical Center bought equipment on January 2, 20X6, for $15,000. The equipment was expected to remain in service four years and to perform 1,000 operations. At the end of the equipment's useful life, Providence estimates that its residual value will be $3,000. The equipment performed 100 operations the first year, 300 the second year, 400 the third year, and 200 the fourth year. Prepare a schedule of depreciation expense per year for the equipment under the three depreciation methods.
After two years under double-declining-balance depreciation, the company switched to the straight-line method. Show your computations.
Which method tracks the wear and tear on the equipment most closely? Which method would Providence prefer to use for income-tax purposes? Explain in detail why a taxpayer prefers this method.