C h a p t e r —

COST VOLUME PROFIT ANALYSIS

9.1 INTRODUCTION

The study of the relation of cost volume and profit is called Break Even Analysis (BEP). Under break-even
analysis, required level of output is determined in order to generate planned level and profit. A business is said
to be break-even, when its income equals to expenditure. The level of output, where income is equal to
expenditure is called Break Even Point. When the production is above the volume of break-even point, company
increase profit, however, if the volume of production is below break-even point, the company makes loss. Break-
even analysis is very much applicable in “Profit planning” i.e. determine the quantity of production to achieve
desired profit. Production above BEP is profit but production below BEP is loss.

9.1.1 CALCULATION OF BREAKEVEN POINTS

As discussed above, the breakeven point is a production level where total cost is equal to total revenue.
The total cost includes fixed cost and total variable cost.

Tc = Fc + TVc 1
Where, Tc = Total cost
Fc = Fixed cost
TVc = Total variable cost

Fixed cost (Fc) is that cost which must be borne irrespective of the level of output i.e. they are the permanent
expenditure that a company has to borne whether it produce Y product or not. Example-depreciation cost of
machinery, insurances cost, rent, staff salary, municipal tax etc. The fixed costs are so called because they do not
change during the short period eg. for one fiscal year. In long run all cost are variable. Hence assuming fixed cost
fixed in nature, BEA can be regarded as short-term analysis. Variable cost Vc is those cost which various directly
with output. These are per unit cost relating to materials, supplies wages etc. In breakeven analysis (BEA)
variable cost are assumed to vary in a lines relationship with the production volume. This assumption is made
for the simplicity of understanding the techniques of breakeven analysis. In fact these variable cost curve are
shaped, signifying that these cost are high up to a certain point and decline with every addition of output unit
they reach a minimize level and then stats raising again. The fixed cost and variable cost in relation to volume of
output are shown below.
Y

Total variable unit

Fixed cost Fixed cost
(Rs.) (Rs.)

X X
Volume of output Volume of output
(Quantity)
A Text Book of Operational Research and Food Plant Management

Generally total variable cost is determined as

TVC = Vc x Q 2

Where, Vc = Variable cost/unit

Q = Quantity of output
∴ Tc = TVc + Fc = (Vc x Q) + Fc Where, F = Fixed cost.

Now at a breakeven point, total cost is equal to total revenue. Total revenue is obtained by multiplying quantity
of output by selling price per unit. If Sp is the selling price per unit and Q is the quantity.

TR (Total Revenue) is equal to TR = Q x Sp ………………………… 3

∴ At breakeven point, Total Revenue = Total cost i.e. TR = TC ………………………… 4

From equation 1,2,3 and 4

Q x Sp = Fc + Q x Vc
Or Q (Sp – Vc) = Fc
Fc
∴Q = ……………………… 5
S p - Vc
Breakeven quantity is given by the equation 5

The relationship Sp – Vc is also called contribution margin. Now the BEP quantity is also given by.

Fixed cost
BEP (Qty) =
Contribution Margine
Multiply equation (5) by Sp both side we get,

Q x Sp Fc x Sp………………………… 6
=
S p - Vc
Here, Q x Sp is also called as breakeven sales volume. The breakeven sales volume is also rearranged as:-
Fc Fixed cost
BEP (sales volume) = = …………………. 7
V
1− c Variable cost/unit
SP 1−
Selling price/unit
The equation 5 & 7 are generally used for calculating breakeven point regarding production output i.e. Quantity
or Sales volume.

The production level required to obtain targeted profit is given by.

Fixed cost + Targeted proft Fc + Profit

Output (Production target) = =
Selling price/unit - Variable cost/unit S p - Vc

Solved Example 1

Given Fc = 30000
Sp = 1.75
Vc = 1

(a) Find out BEP in quantity and Rs.

(b) Quantity to be produced for getting 20000 profits.

Solution:
Fc 30000
(a) Breakeven quantity (Q) = = = 40000 unit
S p - Vc 1.75 − 1

Now breakeven revenue = Q x Sp

= 40000 x 1.75 = 70000 Rs.
(b) Quantity to be produced for getting 20000 profits, we have

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Fc + Profit 30000 + 20000 50000

Q= = = = 66667 unit
S p - Vc 1.75 − 1 0.75

9.2 BEA CHART

The breakeven point could also be determined graphically if the output volume, fixed cost, variable cost and
sales revenue all known. If BEA is done graphically it is called BEP chart. The breakeven chart consists, unit
output in X-axis and cost and revenue expressed in rupees in Y-axis. The fixed cost line and variable cost line are
drawn and total cost line is determined and drawn. A breakeven point is a point where revenue line total
intersects total cost line. The loss and profit area can be determined as shown is graph.

Graph 9.1 BEA Chart

Profit area

Total sales revenue

Y
Breakeven Revenue
Total cost (Fc + TVc)

Variable cost (line)

(Total)
Cost and revenue (Rs.)

area
Loss

Breakeven point (volume)

X
Units of output

Though, the theory applied in breakeven chart is simple but it is very hard to obtain data to construct BE chart.
The reason being that the line between fixed and variable cost is not definite. To construct an accurate breakeven
chart from cost element, a great deal of prior work is required in order to establish the actual behavior of cost
element in relation to volume. Good breakeven chart require excellent cost accounting system.

Solved Example 2:

From the following information calculate.

(a) Breakeven quantity.
(b) Breakeven sales value.
(c) Profit on producing 20% more and 30% less than BEP quantity.

Information : Fixed cost = Rs. 30000

Variable cost = Rs. 1 per unit
Selling price = Rs. 1.75 per unit

Solution :
Fixed cost
(a) BEP (Quantity) =
Selling price/unit - Variable cost/unit
30000
= = 40000 unit.
1.75 - 1
(b) BEP (Value) = BEP unit x Sp
= 40000 x 1.75 = Rs. 70000

(c) Profit on producing 20% more than BEP quantity

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Here, Quantity produce = 40000 + 20% of 40000 unit.

= 40000 + 8000 = 48000 unit

Now, profit = sales revenue of 48000 unit – (variable cost of 48000 unit + fixed cost)
= 48000 x 1.75 – (48000 x 1 + 30000)
= 84000 – 48000 = Rs. 6000

(d) Profit on producing 30% less than BEP quantity.

Here, Quantity produced is equal to
= 40000 – 30% of 40000 unit
= 28000 unit

Now, profit = 28000 x 1.75 – (28000 x 1 + 30000)

= 49000 – 58000
= – 9000 (loss)
From above calculation it is found that if quantity production is more than BEP unit, profit is obtained and if
production is less than BEP, loss is occured

The above information and calculation is shown on graph as follows:

Graph 9.2 BEA Chart

Sales revenue
Y
Total cost
6000 (Profit) Profit

{
84000

78000 Variable cost

Cost/revenue (Rs.)

Loss

3000 Fixed cost

O 40000 48000
X
Volume of output

Some time a word “Margin of safety” it’s used to express production above breakeven point. Here in example
48000 unit is produced where BEP volume is 40000 unit. This (48000 – 40000) i.e. 8000 unit is called “Margin of
safety”. If margin of safety is small and small drop in production capacity will reduce the profit considerably.

9.3.1 ASSUMPTION OF BEA

Breakeven analysis is based on the following assumption

(i) Variable cost charges directly and proportionately with the volume of output.
(ii) Fixed cost remains unchanged irrespective of the level of output.
(iii) Sales price is stable for multi product firm.
(iv) Product mix is stable for multi product firm.

9.3.2 ADVANTAGES AND APPLICATION OF BEA

Breakeven Analysis can be must helped in

(a) Budget planning.
(b) Evaluating new proposals and alternatives.
(c) Profit planning.

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(a) Budget planning:

The detection of creep can be accelerated by applying BEA is budget planning and the overall soundness of a
new budget can be tested as well. The approach under these circumstances would be through a breakeven
chart, comparing breakeven point determined from flexible budget figure with the breakeven point of past
operation and comparing budgeted profit with the profit that should be earned at the budgeted volume
according to the breakeven and chart.

(b) Evaluating new proposals and alternatives:

Proposals to add or drop a product line, changes in selling price, changes in a manufacturing process, make
or buy decisions or other similar course of actions should be first evaluated in terms of the effect on profits at
expected operating levels. A secondary consideration, however, should be affected on the ‘cushion’ between
expected operating levels and the breakeven points. Knowledge that a change will drastically reduce the
cushion should receive careful consideration in determining whether such reduction is too great a price to
pay for anticipated benefits.

(c) Profit planning:

CVP relationship revealed by BEP permit management to make policy decisions regarding output, cost price
etc. It may adopt any one of the following strategies to achieve the planned level of profit.
(1) Increases output
(2) Reduce fixed cost.
(3) Reduce variable cost.
(4) Increase price.
(5) Combination of any two or more of the above method.

Increases output
BEP analysis allows us to find out the production level for achieving desired profit. Let us examine the
above example where fixed cost = Rs. 30000, variable cost is 1 per unit , selling price is 1.75 per unit and
BEP found was 40000 unit, If the company want Rs. 40000 profit, the quantity to be produced is
determined as follows :

Fixed cost + Targeted proft

Target quantity =
Selling price/unit - Variable cost/unit
30000 + 40000 70000
= = = 93333 unit.
1.75 - 1 0.75

Reduce fixed cost

A firm can also achieve planned profit by reducing its fixed cost of production while keeping its
variable cost and price constant. E.g.: if the fixed cost is reduced to 25000
25000
Then, BEP (Unit) = = 33333 unit.
1.75 - 1
Here, for achieving desired profit of 40000 the quantity to be produced is given by.
Fixed cost + 40000
Target quantity = = 86666 unit
1.75 - 1
i.e. by reducing fixed cost, the target profit 40000 is obtained by producing less quantity.
i.e. 93333 – 86666 = 6667 unit.

Reduce variable cost

A firm can also achieve planned profit by reducing its variable cost of production, while keeping fixed
cost and price constant. For example, if the variable cost is reduced to 0.75 the quantity to be produced
for achieving 40000 units is given by
30000 + 40000
Target quantity = = 70000 unit
1.75 - 1
Here, the target profit is obtained by producing (93333 – 70000 = 23333) less than BEP product unit.

Increases selling price

The target can also be accomplished if the sell price is increased, keeping fixed cost, variable cost/unit
are kept constant. Here, if the Sp is increased to Rs. 2, the target quantity is determined as

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Fixed cost + Targeted proft

Target quantity =
Selling price/unit - Variable cost/unit
30000 + 40000
= = 70000
2 -1
Here, the same profit is obtained in less production quantity by increasing the selling price.

Reduce variable cost and increase Sp or combination of other

Similarly the target profit could also be accomplished by combining any of the four formulations.

9.3.3 LIMITATIONS OF BEP

In spite of tremendous application of BEA on budgetary control and profit planning, the BEA has following
limitations:
(i) In BEA, a constant sale price is assumed, which is practically impracticable in current market competition.

(ii) In BEA, a constant variable cost per unit is assumed. However, the variable cost is not constant rather it
is shaped. Variable cost rises up to certain point of production, then decline until they become
minimum for certain production volume and they again start rising. Thus this change in variable cost cannot
be applicable for this simple BEA. The non-linear BEA is developed to handle change in variable cost.

(iii) Sometime differentiation of fixed cost and variable cost is difficult, which makes BEA a meaning-less
analysis.

(iv) BEA has the limited application in multi-product company. It can be used to find BEP for each product and
also rank product in order of contribution margin but it does not indicate the optimum product mix.
Management can however, use this technique for reducing aggregate BEP by giving a greater emphasis on
product with higher contribution margin in preference to those with relatively lower contribution margin.

(v) BEA is essentially a short-run analysis because it is based on breakdown of costs of production between
fixed and variable cost as in long run all costs are variable. Moreover BEA is static in nature and it is based
on the historical cost. It is therefore, limited use for companies going through rapid change. However, BEA
can be used in such cases on the basis of forecasts of production cost and sale price.

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