Starter: Fixed and Variable costs Write down 3 fixed and 3 variable costs you can remember Also define the term ‘breakeven’

The basics of break-even There are two types of costs: Variable costs increase by a step every time an extra product is sold (eg cost of ice cream cornets in ice cream shop) Fixed costs have to be paid even if no products are sold (eg rent of ice cream shop)

Examples of variable costs Variable costs increase with the amount of production Raw materials Petrol Labour (paid by the hour) Packaging

Example of Variable Costs One product costs £1 to produce £1 £4 £3 £2 Costs of production Production level

Examples of Fixed Costs Fixed costs remain the same no matter the production level Rent Business rates (tax on businesses) Salary based employee wages Insurance

Example of Fixed Costs £100 £400 £300 £200 Costs of production Production level

Breakeven The point at which a business neither makes a profit or a loss Formula: Fixed costs (Selling price per unit minus variable cost per unit)

Why calculate break-even? Tom can hire an ice-cream van for an afternoon at a summer fete. The van hire will be £100 and the cost of cornets, ice cream etc will 50p per ice cream. Tom thinks a sensible selling price will be £1.50. At this price, how many ice-creams must he sell to cover his costs? Calculating this will help Tom to decide if the idea is worthwhile.

Applying the formula Fixed costs (Selling price per unit minus variable cost per unit) Tom: £100 (£1.50 – 50p) =100 Units

Fruit Smoothie Breakeven Selling price - £1 Fixed Costs Liquidiser - £15 Variable Costs (per cup) Fruit– 19p Milk– 6p Yoghurt – 13p Cups – 2p Electricity – 5p 1.Complete the breakeven table 2.Draw breakeven chart

Correct Answers Fixed costs = £15 Variable costs = 45p Selling price = £1 No. of units to breakeven = 27 cups

Margin of safety