Stoneham Manufacturing estimated its product costs and volume of production for 2019 by quarter as follows:

The product's estimated quarterly cost to determine the selling price of its product. The company expects a large variance in demand for the product between quarters due to its seasonal nature. The company does not expect overhead costs, which are predominately fixed, to vary significantly as to production volume or with amounts for previous years. Prices are established by using a cost-plus pricing strategy. The company finds variations in short-term unit cost confusing to use. Unit cost variations complicate pricing decisions and many other decisions for which cost is a consideration.
Required
Round computations to two decimal points.
a. Based on estimated total production cost, determine the expected quarterly cost per unit for Stoneham's product.
b. How could overhead costs be estimated each quarter to solve the company's unit cost problem? Calculate the unit cost per quarter based on your recommendation.

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First Quarter Second Quarter Thlrd Quarter Fourth Quarter 96,000 57,600 48,000 $48,000 28,800 100,800 $177,600 8,000 $144,000 Direct raw materials Direct labor Manufacturing overhead Total production costs Expected units produced 86,400 172,800 $403,200 24,000 $72,000 43,200 86,400 201,600 12,000 201.600 16,000