Quick Facts...
- A break-even point defines when an investment will generate a positive return.
- Fixed costs are not directly related to the level of production.
- Variable costs change in direct relation to volume of output.
- Total fixed costs do not change as the level of production increases.
Break-even analysis is a useful tool to study the relationship between fixed costs, variable
costs and returns. A break-even point defines when an investment will generate a positive return
and can be determined graphically or with simple mathematics. Break-even analysis computes the
volume of production at a given price necessary to cover all costs. Break-even price analysis
computes the price necessary at a given level of production to cover all costs. To explain how
break-even analysis works, it is necessary to define the cost items.
Fixed costs, incurred after the decision to enter into a business activity is made, are not
directly related to the level of production. Fixed costs include, but are not limited to, depreciation
on equipment, interest costs, taxes and general overhead expenses. Total fixed costs are the sum
of the fixed costs.
Variable costs change in direct relation to volume of output. They may include cost of
goods sold or production expenses such as labor and power costs, feed, fuel, veterinary, irrigation
and other expenses directly related to the production of a commodity or investment in a capital
asset. Total variable costs (TVC) are the sum of the variable costs for the specified level of
production or output. Average variable costs are the variable costs per unit of output or of TVC
divided by units of output.
Total fixed costs are shown in Figure 1 by the broken horizontal line. Total fixed costs do
not change as the level of production increases. Total variable costs of production are indicated by
the broken line sloping upward, which illustrates that total variable costs increase directly as
production increases.
The total cost line is the sum of the total fixed costs and total variable costs. The total cost
line parallels the total variable cost line, but it begins at the level of the total fixed cost line.
The total income line is the gross value of the output. This is shown as a dotted line,
starting at the lower left of the graph and slanting upward. At any point, the total income line is
equivalent to the number of units produced multiplied by the price per unit.
The key point (break-even point) is the intersection of the total cost line and the total
income line (Point P). A vertical line down from this point shows the level of production
necessary to cover all costs. Production greater than this level generates positive revenue; losses
are incurred at lower levels of production.
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| Figure 1: Graph form of break-even analysis. |
Mathematical Explanation
The graphic method of analysis helps the reader understand the concept of the break-even
point. However, graphing the cost and income lines is laborious. The break-even point is found
faster and more accurately with the following formula:
B-E = F / (S - V)
where:
B-E = break-even point (units of production),
F = total fixed costs,
V = variable costs per unit of production,
S = savings or additional returns per unit of production, and
The mathematical approach is best presented using examples.
Example 1
A farmer wants to buy a new combine rather than hire a custom harvester. The total
fixed costs for the desired combine are $21,270 per year. The variable costs (not counting the
operator's labor) are $8.75 per hour. The farmer can harvest 5 acres per hour. The custom
harvester charges $16.00 per acre. How many acres must be harvested per year to break-even?
Fixed costs (F) = $21,270
Savings (S) = $16/A
Variable costs (V) = $8.75/hr / 5 A/hr = $1.75/A
B-E = $21,270 / ($16/A - $1.75/A) = $21,270 / $14.25/A = 1,493 Acres
Example 2
Break-even analysis can be easily extended to consider other changes. If the farm operator
can save two additional bushels of wheat per acre more than the custom harvester, what would be the
break-even point if wheat is worth $4/bushel?
Additional income = $4/bu * 2 bu/A = $8/A
B-E = $21,270 / ($16/A + $8/A - $1.75/A)
= $21,270 / $22.25/A = 956 Acres
Example 3
A farmer raising 1,200 acres of wheat per year considers purchasing a combine. How
much additional return (to land, capital labor, management and risk) would result?
Additional return = (savings or additional income) - (fixed costs + variable costs)
Additional profit = [ $16/ac + ($4/bu * 2 bu/ac) ] x 1200 A = $21,270 + [ ($8.75/hr / 5 A/hr) x
1200 A] = $28,800-$23,370 = $5,430
Thus, the farmer would generate another $5,430 in additional return by purchasing the
combine. A farmer harvesting only 900 acres would probably choose not to buy the combine
because the acreage is below the break-even point of 956 acres. The farmer may want to evaluate
the purchase of a smaller or used combine.
Additional Situations
Two additional situations are presented as follows:
Problem 1. If the fixed costs for the combine are $12,000 per year, no additional yield is
expected, variable costs are $7 per hour and the farmer can combine 4 acres per hour, what is the
new break-even point?
Problem 2. If 900 acres are harvested, what is the effect on the farmer's profits?
Solutions
Fixed costs = $12,000
Savings = $16/A
Variable costs = $7/hr / 4 A/hr = $1.75/A
Problem 1:
B-E = $12,000 / ($16/A - $1.75/A) = $12,000 / $14.25/A = 842 Acres
Problem 2:
Additional profit = ($16/A x 900 A) - [$12,000 + ($7/hr / 4 A/hr x 900 A = $14,000 -
$13,575 = $825 increase
Appraisal of Break-even Analysis
The main advantage of break-even analysis is that it points out the relationship between
cost, production volume and returns. It can be extended to show how changes in fixed cost-variable cost relationships, in commodity prices, or in revenues, will affect profit levels and break-even points. Limitations of break-even analysis include:
- It is best suited to the analysis of one product at a time;
- It may be difficult to classify a cost as all variable or all fixed; and
- There may be a tendency to continue to use a break-even analysis after the cost and
income functions have changed.
Break-even analysis is most useful when used with partial budgeting or capital budgeting
techniques. The major benefit to using break-even analysis is that it indicates the lowest amount of
business activity necessary to prevent losses.
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