Lesson-15

Breakeven Analysis

Learning Objectives

• To describe as to how the concepts of fixed and variable costs are used in C-V-P analysis
• To segregate semi-variable expenses in C-V-P analysis
• To identify the limiting assumptions of C-V-P analysis
• To work out the breakeven analysis, contribution analysis and margin of safety
• To understand how to draw a breakeven chart
• To compute breakeven point

Introduction

In this lesson, we will discuss in detail the highlights associated with cost function and cost
relations with the production and distribution system of an economic entity.

C-V-P analysis is broadly known as cost-volume-profit analysis. Specifically speaking, we all are
concerned with in-depth analysis and application of CVP in practical world of industry
management.

Cost-Volume-Profit (C-V-P) Relationship

We have observed that in marginal costing, marginal cost varies directly with the volume of
production or output. On the other hand, fixed cost remains unaltered regardless of the volume of
output within the scale of production already fixed by management. In case if cost behavior is
related to sales income, it shows cost-volume-profit relationship. In net effect, if volume is
changed, variable cost varies as per the change in volume. In this case, selling price remains fixed,
fixed remains fixed and then there is a change in profit.

Being a manager, you constantly strive to relate these elements in order to achieve the maximum
profit. Apart from profit projection, the concept of Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) is relevant to
virtually all decision-making areas, particularly in the short run.

The relationship among cost, revenue and profit at different levels may be expressed in graphs
such as breakeven charts, profit volume graphs, or in various statement forms.

Profit depends on a large number of factors, most important of which are the cost of manufacturing
and the volume of sales. Both these factors are interdependent. Volume of sales depends upon the
volume of production and market forces which in turn is related to costs. Management has no
control over market. In order to achieve certain level of profitability, it has to exercise control and
management of costs, mainly variable cost. This is because fixed cost is a non-controllable cost.
But then, cost is based on the following factors:
 • Volume of production
• Product mix
• Internal efficiency and the productivity of the factors of production
• Methods of production and technology
• Size of batches
• Size of plant

Thus, one can say that cost-volume-profit analysis furnishes the complete picture of the profit
structure. This enables management to distinguish among the effect of sales, fluctuations in
volume and the results of changes in price of product/services.

In other words, CVP is a management accounting tool that expresses relationship among sale
volume, cost and profit. CVP can be used in the form of a graph or an equation. Cost-volume-
profit analysis can answer a number of analytical questions. Some of the questions are as follows:

1. What is the breakeven revenue of an organization?

2. How much revenue does an organization need to achieve a budgeted profit?
3. What level of price change affects the achievement of budgeted profit?
4. What is the effect of cost changes on the profitability of an operation?

Cost-volume-profit analysis can also answer many other “what if” type of questions.

Cost-volume-profit analysis is one of the important techniques of cost and management

accounting. Although it is a simple yet a powerful tool for planning of profits and
therefore, of commercial operations. It provides an answer to “what if” theme by telling the
volume required to produce.

Following are the three approaches to a CVP analysis:

• Cost and revenue equations

• Contribution margin
• Profit graph

Objectives of Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis

1. In order to forecast profits accurately, it is essential to ascertain the relationship between cost
and profit on one hand and volume on the other.
2. Cost-volume-profit analysis is helpful in setting up flexible budget which indicates cost at
various levels of activities.
3. Cost-volume-profit analysis assist in evaluating performance for the purpose of control.
4. Such analysis may assist management in formulating pricing policies by projecting the effect
of different price structures on cost and profit.

Assumptions and Terminology

Following are the assumptions on which the theory of CVP is based:

1. The changes in the level of various revenue and costs arise only because of the changes in the
number of product (or service) units produced and sold, e.g., the number of television sets
produced and sold by Sigma Corporation. The number of output (units) to be sold is the only
revenue and cost driver. Just as a cost driver is any factor that affects costs, a revenue driver is
any factor that affects revenue.
2. Total costs can be divided into a fixed component and a component that is variable with
respect to the level of output. Variable costs include the following:

• Direct materials
• Direct labor
• Direct chargeable expenses

Variable overheads include the following:

• Variable part of factory overheads

• Administration overheads
• Selling and distribution overheads

3. There is linear relationship between revenue and cost.

4. When put in a graph, the behavior of total revenue and cost is linear (straight line), i.e. Y =
mx + C holds good which is the equation of a straight line.
5. The unit selling price, unit variable costs and fixed costs are constant.
6. The theory of CVP is based upon the production of a single product. However, of late,
management accountants are functioning to give a theoretical and a practical approach to
multi-product CVP analysis.
7. The analysis either covers a single product or assumes that the sales mix sold in case of
multiple products will remain constant as the level of total units sold changes.
8. All revenue and cost can be added and compared without taking into account the time value of
money.
9. The theory of CVP is based on the technology that remains constant.
10. The theory of price elasticity is not taken into consideration.

Many companies, and divisions and sub-divisions of companies in industries such as airlines,
automobiles, chemicals, plastics and semiconductors have found the simple CVP relationships to
be helpful in the following areas:

• Strategic and long-range planning decisions

• Decisions about product features and pricing

In real world, simple assumptions described above may not hold good. The theory of CVP can be
tailored for individual industries depending upon the nature and peculiarities of the same.

For example, predicting total revenue and total cost may require multiple revenue drivers and
multiple cost drivers. Some of the multiple revenue drivers are as follows:

• Number of output units

• Number of customer visits made for sales
• Number of advertisements placed
Some of the multiple cost drivers are as follows:

• Number of units produced

• Number of batches in which units are produced

Managers and management accountants, however, should always assess whether the simplified
CVP relationships generate sufficiently accurate information for predictions of how total revenue
and total cost would behave. However, one may come across different complex situations to which
the theory of CVP would rightly be applicable in order to help managers to take appropriate
decisions under different situations.

Limitations of Cost-Volume Profit Analysis

The CVP analysis is generally made under certain limitations and with certain assumed conditions,
some of which may not occur in practice. Following are the main limitations and assumptions in
the cost-volume-profit analysis:

1. It is assumed that the production facilities anticipated for the purpose of cost-volume-profit
analysis do not undergo any change. Such analysis gives misleading results if expansion or
reduction of capacity takes place.
2. In case where a variety of products with varying margins of profit are manufactured, it is
difficult to forecast with reasonable accuracy the volume of sales mix which would optimize
the profit.
3. The analysis will be correct only if input price and selling price remain fairly constant which in
reality is difficulty to find. Thus, if a cost reduction program is undertaken or selling price is
changed, the relationship between cost and profit will not be accurately depicted.
4. In cost-volume-profit analysis, it is assumed that variable costs are perfectly and completely
variable at all levels of activity and fixed cost remains constant throughout the range of volume
being considered. However, such situations may not arise in practical situations.
5. It is assumed that the changes in opening and closing inventories are not significant, though
sometimes they may be significant.
6. Inventories are valued at variable cost and fixed cost is treated as period cost. Therefore,
closing stock carried over to the next financial year does not contain any component of fixed
cost. Inventory should be valued at full cost in reality.

Sensitivity Analysis or What If Analysis and Uncertainty

Sensitivity analysis is relatively a new term in management accounting. It is a “what if” technique
that managers use to examine how a result will change if the original predicted data are not
achieved or if an underlying assumption changes.

In the context of CVP analysis, sensitivity analysis answers the following questions:

a. What will be the operating income if units sold decrease by 15% from original prediction?
b. What will be the operating income if variable cost per unit increases by 20%?

The sensitivity of operating income to various possible outcomes broadens the perspective of
management regarding what might actually occur before making cost commitments.
A spreadsheet can be used to conduct CVP-based sensitivity analysis in a systematic and efficient
way. With the help of a spreadsheet, this analysis can be easily conducted to examine the effect
and interaction of changes in selling prices, variable cost per unit, fixed costs and target operating
incomes.

Example

Following is the spreadsheet of Dolphy Software Ltd., Chennai:

Statement showing CVP Analysis for Dolphy Software Ltd.

Revenue required at Rs. 200 Selling Price per unit to earn

Operating Income of
Fixed cost Variable cost 0 1,000 1,500 2,000
per unit
2,000 100 4,000 6,000 7,000 8,000
120 5,000 7,500 8,750 10,000
140 6,667 10,000 11,667 13,333
2,500 100 5,000 7,000 8,000 9,000
120 6,250 8,750 10,000 11,250
140 8,333 11,667 13,333 15,000
3,000 100 6,000 8,000 9,000 10,000
120 7,500 10,000 11,250 12,500
140 10,000 13,333 15,000 16,667

From the above example, one can immediately see the revenue that needs to be generated to reach
a particular operating income level, given alternative levels of fixed costs and variable costs per
unit. For example, revenue of Rs. 6,000 (30 units @ Rs. 200 each) is required to earn an operating
income of Rs. 1,000 if fixed cost is Rs. 2,000 and variable cost per unit is Rs. 100. You can also
use exhibit 3-4 to assess what revenue the company needs to breakeven (earn operating income of
Re. 0) if, for example, one of the following changes takes place:

• The booth rental at the Chennai convention raises to Rs. 3,000 (thus increasing fixed cost
to Rs. 3,000)
• The software suppliers raise their price to Rs. 140 per unit (thus increasing variable costs to
Rs. 140)

An aspect of sensitivity analysis is the margin of safety which is the amount of budgeted revenue
over and above breakeven revenue. The margin of safety is sales quantity minus breakeven
quantity. It is expressed in units. The margin of safety answers the “what if” questions, e.g., if
budgeted revenue are above breakeven and start dropping, how far can they fall below budget
before the breakeven point is reached? Such a fall could be due to competitor’s better product,
poorly executed marketing programs and so on.
Assume you have fixed cost of Rs. 2,000, selling price of Rs. 200 and variable cost per unit of Rs.
120. For 40 units sold, the budgeted point from this set of assumptions is 25 units (Rs. 2,000 ÷ Rs.
80) or Rs. 5,000 (Rs. 200 x 25). Hence, the margin of safety is Rs. 3,000 (Rs. 8,000 – 5,000) or 15
(40 –25) units.

Sensitivity analysis is an approach to recognizing uncertainty, i.e. the possibility that an actual
amount will deviate from an expected amount.

Marginal Cost Equations and Breakeven Analysis

From the marginal cost statements, one might have observed the following:

Sales – Marginal cost = Contribution ……(1)

Fixed cost + Profit = Contribution ……(2)

By combining these two equations, we get the fundamental marginal cost equation as follows:

Sales – Marginal cost = Fixed cost + Profit ……(3)

This fundamental marginal cost equation plays a vital role in profit projection and has a wider
application in managerial decision-making problems.

The sales and marginal costs vary directly with the number of units sold or produced. So, the
difference between sales and marginal cost, i.e. contribution, will bear a relation to sales and the
ratio of contribution to sales remains constant at all levels. This is profit volume or P/V ratio. Thus,

P/V Ratio (or C/S Ratio) = Contribution (c)

Sales (s) ……(4)

It is expressed in terms of percentage, i.e. P/V ratio is equal to (C/S) x 100.

Or, Contribution = Sales x P/V ratio ……(5)

Or, Sales = Contribution

P/V ratio ……(6)

The above-mentioned marginal cost equations can be applied to the following heads:

1. Contribution

Contribution is the difference between sales and marginal or variable costs. It contributes
toward fixed cost and profit. The concept of contribution helps in deciding breakeven point,
profitability of products, departments etc. to perform the following activities:

• Selecting product mix or sales mix for profit maximization

 • Fixing selling prices under different circumstances such as trade depression, export
sales, price discrimination etc.

2. Profit Volume Ratio (P/V Ratio), its Improvement and Application

The ratio of contribution to sales is P/V ratio or C/S ratio. It is the contribution per rupee of
sales and since the fixed cost remains constant in short term period, P/V ratio will also measure
the rate of change of profit due to change in volume of sales. The P/V ratio may be expressed
as follows:

P/V ratio = Sales – Marginal cost of sales = Contribution

Sales Sales

= Changes in contribution = Change in profit

Changes in sales Change in sales

A fundamental property of marginal costing system is that P/V ratio remains constant at
different levels of activity.

A change in fixed cost does not affect P/V ratio. The concept of P/V ratio helps in determining
the following:

• Breakeven point
• Profit at any volume of sales
• Sales volume required to earn a desired quantum of profit
• Profitability of products
• Processes or departments

The contribution can be increased by increasing the sales price or by reduction of variable
costs. Thus, P/V ratio can be improved by the following:

• Increasing selling price

• Reducing marginal costs by effectively utilizing men, machines, materials and other
services
• Selling more profitable products, thereby increasing the overall P/V ratio

3. Breakeven Point

Breakeven point is the volume of sales or production where there is neither profit nor loss.
Thus, we can say that:

Contribution = Fixed cost

Now, breakeven point can be easily calculated with the help of fundamental marginal cost
equation, P/V ratio or contribution per unit.
 a. Using Marginal Costing Equation

S (sales) – V (variable cost) = F (fixed cost) + P (profit)

At BEP P = 0, BEP S – V = F

By multiplying both the sides by S and rearranging them, one gets the following
equation:

S BEP = F.S/S-V

b. Using P/V Ratio

Sales S BEP = Contribution at BEP = Fixed cost

P/ V ratio P/ V ratio

Thus, if sales is Rs. 2,000, marginal cost Rs. 1,200 and fixed cost Rs. 400, then:

Breakeven point = 400 x 2000 = Rs. 1000

2000 - 1200

Similarly, P/V ratio = 2000 – 1200 = 0.4 or 40%

800
So, breakeven sales = Rs. 400 / .4 = Rs. 1000

c. Using Contribution per unit

Breakeven point = Fixed cost = 100 units or Rs. 1000

Contribution per unit

4. Margin of Safety (MOS)

Every enterprise tries to know how much above they are from the breakeven point. This is
technically called margin of safety. It is calculated as the difference between sales or
production units at the selected activity and the breakeven sales or production.

Margin of safety is the difference between the total sales (actual or projected) and the
breakeven sales. It may be expressed in monetary terms (value) or as a number of units
(volume). It can be expressed as profit / P/V ratio. A large margin of safety indicates the
soundness and financial strength of business.

Margin of safety can be improved by lowering fixed and variable costs, increasing volume of
sales or selling price and changing product mix, so as to improve contribution and overall P/V
ratio.
Margin of safety = Sales at selected activity – Sales at BEP

= Profit at selected activity

P/V ratio

Margin of safety is also presented in ratio or percentage as follows:

= Margin of safety (sales) x 100 %

Sales at selected activity

The size of margin of safety is an extremely valuable guide to the strength of a business. If it is
large, there can be substantial falling of sales and yet a profit can be made. On the other hand,
if margin is small, any loss of sales may be a serious matter. If margin of safety is
unsatisfactory, possible steps to rectify the causes of mismanagement of commercial activities
as listed below can be undertaken.

a. Increasing the selling price-- It may be possible for a company to have higher margin of
safety in order to strengthen the financial health of the business. It should be able to
influence price, provided the demand is elastic. Otherwise, the same quantity will not
be sold.
b. Reducing fixed costs
c. Reducing variable costs
d. Substitution of existing product(s) by more profitable lines
e. Increase in the volume of output
f. Modernization of production facilities and the introduction of the most cost effective
technology

Problem 1

A company earned a profit of Rs. 30,000 during the year 2000-01. Marginal cost and selling
price of a product are Rs. 8 and Rs. 10 per unit respectively. Find out the margin of safety.

Solution

Margin of safety = Profit

P/V ratio

P/V ratio = Contribution x 100

Sales

= Rs. 2 x 100 = 20%

Rs. 10

Margin of safety = Rs. 30000 = Rs. 1,50,000

20%
 Problem 2

A company producing a single article sells it at Rs. 10 each. The marginal cost of production is
Rs. 6 each and fixed cost is Rs. 400 per annum. You are required to calculate the following:

• Profits for annual sales of 1 unit, 50 units, 100 units and 400 units
• P/V ratio
• Breakeven sales
• Sales to earn a profit of Rs. 500
• Profit at sales of Rs. 3,000
• New breakeven point if sales price is reduced by 10%
• Margin of safety at sales of 400 units

Solution

Marginal Cost Statement

Particulars Amount Amount Amount Amount
Units produced 1 50 100 400
Sales (units * 10) 10 500 1000 4000
Variable cost 6 300 600 2400
Contribution (sales- VC) 4 200 400 1600
Fixed cost 400 400 400 400
Profit (Contribution – FC) -396 -200 0 1200

Profit Volume Ratio (PVR) = Contribution/Sales * 100 = 0.4 or 40%

Breakeven sales (Rs.) = Fixed cost / PVR = 400/ 40 * 100 = Rs. 1,000
Sales at BEP = Contribution at BEP/ PVR = 100 units

Sales at profit Rs. 500

Contribution at profit Rs. 500 = Fixed cost + Profit = Rs. 900
Sales = Contribution/PVR = 900/.4 = Rs. 2,250 (or 225 units)

Profit at sales Rs. 3,000

Contribution at sale Rs. 3,000 = Sales x P/V ratio = 3000 x 0.4 = Rs. 1,200
Profit = Contribution – Fixed cost = Rs. 1200 – Rs. 400 = Rs. 800

New P/V ratio = Rs. 9 – Rs. 6/Rs. 9 = 1/3

Sales at BEP = Fixed cost/PV ratio = Rs. 400 = Rs. 1,200
1/3

Margin of safety (at 400 units) = 4000-1000/4000*100 = 75 %

(Actual sales – BEP sales/Actual sales * 100)

Breakeven Analysis-- Graphical Presentation

Apart from marginal cost equations, it is found that breakeven chart and profit graphs are useful
graphic presentations of this cost-volume-profit relationship.
Breakeven chart is a device which shows the relationship between sales volume, marginal costs
and fixed costs, and profit or loss at different levels of activity. Such a chart also shows the effect
of change of one factor on other factors and exhibits the rate of profit and margin of safety at
different levels. A breakeven chart contains, inter alia, total sales line, total cost line and the point
of intersection called breakeven point. It is popularly called breakeven chart because it shows
clearly breakeven point (a point where there is no profit or no loss).

Profit graph is a development of simple breakeven chart and shows clearly profit at different
volumes of sales.

Construction of a Breakeven Chart

The construction of a breakeven chart involves the drawing of fixed cost line, total cost line and
sales line as follows:

1. Select a scale for production on horizontal axis and a scale for costs and sales on vertical axis.
2. Plot fixed cost on vertical axis and draw fixed cost line passing through this point parallel to
horizontal axis.
3. Plot variable costs for some activity levels starting from the fixed cost line and join these
points. This will give total cost line. Alternatively, obtain total cost at different levels, plot the
points starting from horizontal axis and draw total cost line.
4. Plot the maximum or any other sales volume and draw sales line by joining zero and the point
so obtained.

Uses of Breakeven Chart

A breakeven chart can be used to show the effect of changes in any of the following profit factors:

• Volume of sales
• Variable expenses
• Fixed expenses
• Selling price

Problem

A company produces a single article and sells it at Rs. 10 each. The marginal cost of production is
Rs. 6 each and total fixed cost of the concern is Rs. 400 per annum.

Construct a breakeven chart and show the following:

• Breakeven point
• Margin of safety at sale of Rs. 1,500
• Angle of incidence
• Increase in selling price if breakeven point is reduced to 80 units

Solution

A breakeven chart can be prepared by obtaining the information at these levels:

 Output units 40 80 120 200
Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.
Sales
400 800 1,200 2,000
Fixed cost 400 400 400 400
Variable cost 240 480 400 720
Total cost 640 880 1,120 1,600

Fixed cost line, total cost line and sales line are drawn one after another following the usual
procedure described herein:

2000

1800
Sales Line
Profit
1600 Selected activity sales

1400
Margin Angle of Incidence
1200 of safety Selected
activity
Breakeven point (profit)
1000
BE Sales

800 Variable cost

Selected activity
600

400
Loss
Margin Fixed cost line
200 of
Safety

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

This chart clearly shows the breakeven point, margin of safety and angle of incidence.

a. Breakeven point-- Breakeven point is the point at which sales line and total cost line
intersect. Here, B is breakeven point equivalent to sale of Rs. 1,000 or 100 units.

b. Margin of safety-- Margin of safety is the difference between sales or units of production
and breakeven point. Thus, margin of safety at M is sales of (Rs. 1,500 - Rs. 1,000), i.e. Rs.
500 or 50 units.

c. Angle of incidence-- Angle of incidence is the angle formed by sales line and total cost line
at breakeven point. A large angle of incidence shows a high rate of profit being made. It
should be noted that the angle of incidence is universally denoted by data. Larger the angle,
higher the profitability indicated by the angel of incidence.
 d. At 80 units, total cost (from the table) = Rs. 880. Hence, selling price for breakeven at 80
units = Rs. 880/80 = Rs. 11 per unit. Increase in selling price is Re. 1 or 10% over the
original selling price of Rs. 10 per unit.

Limitations and Uses of Breakeven Charts

A simple breakeven chart gives correct result as long as variable cost per unit, total fixed cost and
sales price remain constant. In practice, all these factors may change and the original breakeven
chart may give misleading results.

But then, if a company sells different products having different percentages of profit to turnover,
the original combined breakeven chart fails to give a clear picture when the sales mix changes. In
this case, it may be necessary to draw up a breakeven chart for each product or a group of
products. A breakeven chart does not take into account capital employed which is a very important
factor to measure the overall efficiency of business. Fixed costs may increase at some level
whereas variable costs may sometimes start to decline. For example, with the help of quantity
discount on materials purchased, the sales price may be reduced to sell the additional units
produced etc. These changes may result in more than one breakeven point, or may indicate higher
profit at lower volumes or lower profit at still higher levels of sales.

Nevertheless, a breakeven chart is used by management as an efficient tool in marginal costing, i.e.
in forecasting, decision-making, long term profit planning and maintaining profitability. The
margin of safety shows the soundness of business whereas the fixed cost line shows the degree of
mechanization. The angle of incidence is an indicator of plant efficiency and profitability of the
product or division under consideration. It also helps a monopolist to make price discrimination for
maximization of profit.

Multiple Product Situations

In real life, most of the firms turn out many products. Here also, there is no problem with regard to
the calculation of BE point. However, the assumption has to be made that the sales mix remains
constant. This is defined as the relative proportion of each product’s sale to total sales. It could be
expressed as a ratio such as 2:4:6, or as a percentage as 20%, 40%, 60%.

The calculation of breakeven point in a multi-product firm follows the same pattern as in a single
product firm. While the numerator will be the same fixed costs, the denominator now will be
weighted average contribution margin. The modified formula is as follows:

Breakeven point (in units) = Fixed costs

Weighted average contribution margin per unit

One should always remember that weights are assigned in proportion to the relative sales of all
products. Here, it will be the contribution margin of each product multiplied by its quantity.

Breakeven Point in Sales Revenue

Here also, numerator is the same fixed costs. The denominator now will be weighted average
contribution margin ratio which is also called weighted average P/V ratio. The modified formula is
as follows:

B.E. point (in revenue) = Fixed cost

Weighted average P/V ratio

Problem

Ahmedabad Company Ltd. manufactures and sells four types of products under the brand name
Ambience, Luxury, Comfort and Lavish. The sales mix in value comprises the following:

Brand name Percentage

Ambience 33 1/3
Luxury 41 2/3
Comfort 16 2/3
Lavish 8 1/3
100

The total budgeted sales (100%) are Rs. 6,00,000 per month.

The operating costs are:

Ambience 60% of selling price

Luxury 68% of selling price
Comfort 80% of selling price
Lavish 40% of selling price

The fixed costs are Rs. 1,59,000 per month.

a. Calculate the breakeven point for the products on an overall basis.

b. It has been proposed to change the sales mix as follows, with the sales per month remaining at
Rs. 6,00,000:

Brand Name Percentage

Ambience 25
Luxury 40
Comfort 30
Lavish 05
100

Assuming that this proposal is implemented, calculate the new breakeven point.

Solution

a. Computation of the Breakeven Point on Overall Basis

Ambience Luxury Comfort Lavish Total

Sales Mix 33 1/3 % 41 2/3 % 16 2/3 % 8 1/3 % 100
 Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.
Sales 2,00,000 2,50,000 1,00,000 50,000 6,00,000
Less: Variable 1,20,000 1,70,000 80,000 20,000 3,90,000
(operating) cost
Contribution 80,000 80,000 20,000 30,000 2,10,000

Overall P/V ratio = Contribution x 100

Sales

= Rs. 2,10,000 x 100

6,00,000
= 35%

Breakeven point (sales value) = Fixed costs x 100

P/V ratio

= Rs. 1,59,000 x 100

35%
= 4,54,286

b. Computation of the New Breakeven Point

The revised contribution after new sales mix is as follows:

Ambience Luxury Comfort Lavish Total

Sales mix 25 % 40% 30% 5% 100
Rs Rs Rs Rs Rs
Sales 1,50,000 2,40,000 1,80,000 30,000 6,00,000
Less: Variable 90,000 1,63,200 1,44,000 12,000 4,09,200
(operating) cost
Contribution 80,000 80,000 20,000 30,000 2,10,000

New P/V ratio = Rs. 1,90,800 x 100 = 31.8%

Rs. 6,00,000

New breakeven point (sales value) = Rs. 1,59,000 = Rs. 5,00,000

31.8%

Profit Graph

Profit graph is an improvement of a simple breakeven chart. It clearly exhibits the relationship of
profit to volume of sales. The construction of a profit graph is relatively easy and the procedure
involves the following:

1. Selecting a scale for the sales on horizontal axis and another scale for profit and fixed costs or
loss on vertical axis. The area above horizontal axis is called profit area and the one below it is
called loss area.
2. Plotting the profits of corresponding sales and joining them. This is profit line.
Summary

1. Fixed and variable cost classification helps in CVP analysis. Marginal cost is also useful for
such analysis.

2. Breakeven point is the incidental study of CVP. It is the point of no profit and no loss. At this
specific level of operation, it covers total costs, including variable and fixed overheads.

3. Breakeven chart is the graphical representation of cost structure of business.

4. Profit/Volume (P/V) ratio shows the relationship between contribution and value/volume of
sales. It is usually expressed as terms of percentage and is a valuable tool for the profitability
of business.

5. Margin of safety is the difference between sales or units of production and breakeven point.
The size of margin of safety is an extremely valuable guide to the financial strength of a
business.

Questions

1. Discuss the concept of fixed and variable cost.

2. CVP analysis is a useful technique for managerial decision-making. Discuss.
3. CVP analysis has no limitation. Discuss.
4. What is a breakeven chart?
5. What questions can a breakeven chart answer to?
6. Provide a formula to determine the breakeven point of a single product, multi-product and
different divisions and subdivisions of an organization.
7. What are the disadvantages of using breakeven analysis?
8. Define contribution margin.
9. Explain-- Margin of safety shows the financial strength of a business.

Activities

1. CVP analysis in particular and management accounting in general have a wider application
in industry, trade and commerce. You are, therefore, advised to visit industries of different
nature and become familiar with the application of CVP in day-to-day managerial decision-
making process undertaken by the respective management. You can meet the concerned
executives who are the master of subject and gain practical experience. Then, blend the
same with the theoretical phenomenon demonstrated by us.

2. Familiarize yourself with case studies and industrial visits to understand the application of
breakeven analysis in real life situation. Also, you are advised to make a project on cost-
volume-profit analysis of a multi-product company.