An existing robot can be kept if $2 comma 000 is spent now to upgrade it for future service requirements. Alternatively, the company can purchase a new robot to replace the old robot. The following estimates have been developed for both the defender and the challenger. The company's before-tax MARR is 20% per year. Based on this information, should the existing robot be replaced right now? Assume the robot will be needed for an indefinite period of time.

If the economy were in the contracting phase of the business cycle, how might that affect your ability to find work?

Oerstman, inc. uses a standard costing system and develops its overhead rates from the current annual budget. the budget is based on an expected annual output of 120,000 units requiring 480,000 direct labor hours.(practical capacity is 500,000 hours)annual budgeted overhead costs total $772,800, of which $556,800 is fixed overhead. a total of 119,300 units, using 478,000 direct labor hours, were produced during the year. actual variable overhead costs for the year were $260,400 and actual fixed overhead costs were $555,450.required: 1. compute the fixed overhead spending variance and indicate if favorable or unfavorable.2. compute the fixed overhead volume variance and indicate if favorable or unfavorable.

Biochemical corp. requires $600,000 in financing over the next three years. the firm can borrow the funds for three years at 10.80 percent interest per year. the ceo decides to do a forecast and predicts that if she utilizes short-term financing instead, she will pay 7.50 percent interest in the first year, 12.15 percent interest in the second year, and 8.25 percent interest in the third year. assume interest is paid in full at the end of each year. a)determine the total interest cost under each plan. a) long term fixed rate: b) short term fixed rate: b) which plan is less costly? a) long term fixed rate plan b) short term variable rate plan