An electronics firm is presently manufacturing an item that has a variable cost of $0.50 per unit and a selling price of $1.00 per unit.  Fixed costs are$14,000 per month.  present volume is 30,000 units per month.  The firm wants to better the product quality by adding a new piece of equipment at an additional fixed cost of $6,000 a month.  Variable cost would enhance to $0.60 a unit but volume should jump to 50,000 units a month due to improved productivity.  Though the new product is of a higher quality, the firm intends to stay with the selling price of $1.00 per unit (for competitive purposes).

(a)    Should the firm buy the latest equipment?

(b)    The firm is now considering stepping the new volume to 45,000 units a month to make even better quality products and enhance the selling price to $1.10 a unit.  Under these circumstances, should the company buy the latest equipment and enhance the selling price?