The New Owner of a Beauty Shop Is Trying to Decide

question 117

Multiple Choice

The new owner of a beauty shop is trying to decide whether to hire one, two, or three beauticians. She estimates that profits next year (in thousands of dollars) will vary with demand for her services, and she has estimated demand in three categories, low, medium, and high. $$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | l | } \hline { \begin{array} { l } \text { NUMBER } \\\text { OF } \\\text { BEAUTICIANS }\end{array} } & { \text { DEMAND } } \\\hline & \text { LOW } & \text { MEDIUM } & \text { HIGH } \\\hline \text { One } & 50 & 75 & 100 \\\hline \text { Two } & 0 & 100 & 100 \\\hline \text { Three } & - 100 & 70 & 300 \\\hline\end{array}$$ If she feels the chances of low, medium, and high demand are 50 percent, 20 percent, and 30 percent respectively, what are the expected annual profits for the number of beauticians she will decide to hire?

• A) $54,000
• B) $55,000
• C) $70,000
• D) $80,000
• E) $135,000

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Definitions:

Variable Expenses

Costs that change in proportion to the level of activity within a business.

Contribution Margin

The amount by which the sales revenue of a product exceeds its variable costs, indicating how much contributes towards covering fixed costs and generating profit.

Break-Even Point

The point at which total costs and total revenues are equal, resulting in no net gain or loss for the business.

Fixed Costs

Costs that do not change with the level of production or sales, such as rent, salaries, and insurance premiums, providing stability to a company's expenses.