Comparing Three Depreciation Methods Dexter Industries purchased packaging equipment on January 8 for $249,400. The equipment was expected to have a useful life of four years, or 8,800 operating hours, and a residual value of $20,600. The equipment was used for 3,080 hours during Year 1, 1,848 hours in Year 2, 2,464 hours in Year 3, and 1,408 hours in Year 4. Required: 1. Determine the amount of depreciation expense for the four years ending December 31 by (a) the straight-line method, (b) the units-of-activity method, and (c) the double-declining-balance method. Also determine the total depreciation expense for the four years by each method. Round the answer for each year to the nearest whole dollar. Depreciation Expense Year Straight-Line Method Units-of-Activity Method Double-Declining- Balance Method Year 1 $fill in the blank 1 $fill in the blank 2 $fill in the blank 3 Year 2 $fill in the blank 4 $fill in the blank 5 $fill in the blank 6 Year 3 $fill in the blank 7 $fill in the blank 8 $fill in the blank 9 Year 4 $fill in the blank 10 $fill in the blank 11 $fill in the blank 12 Total $fill in the blank 13 $fill in the blank 14 $fill in the blank 15 2. What method yields the highest depreciation expense for Year 1

Straight line :

Depreciation expense each of the four years is $57,200

total depreciation = $228,800

Double declining :

Year 1 = $124,700

Year 2  = $62350

Year 3 = $31,175

Year 4 =  $15,588

Total depreciation expense = $233,813

Activity based depreciation

year 1 =  $80,080

year 2 =  $48,048

year 3 =  $64,064

year 4 = $36,608

Total depreciation expense = $288,800

the deprecation method that yields the highest depreciation expense in year 1 is the double declining method

Explanation:

Straight line depreciation expense = (Cost of asset - Salvage value) / useful life

($249,400 - $20,600) / 4 = $57,200

Depreciation expense each of the four years is $57,200

total depreciation = $57,200 x 4 = $228,800

Depreciation expense using the double declining method = Depreciation factor x cost of the asset

Depreciation factor = 2 x (1/useful life) = 2/4

Year 1 = 2/4 x $249,400 = 124,700

book value =  $249,400 - 124,700 = 124,700

Year 2 = 2/4 x 124,700 = 62350

Book value = 124,700 - 62350 =  62350

Year 3 = 2/4 x 62350 = 31,175

book value = 62350 -  31,175 =  31,175

Year 4 = 2/4 x  31,175 = 15,587.50

Addition of the depreciation expenses = $233,812.50

Activity method based on hours worked = (hours worked that year / total hours of the machine) x  (Cost of asset - Salvage value)

($249,400 - $20,600) / 8,800 = 26

year 1 = 26 x 3,080 = $80,080

year 2 = 26 x 1,848 = $48,048

year 3 = 26 x 2,464 = $64,064

year 4 = 26 x 1,408 = $36,608

Addition of the depreciation expenses = $288,800