Magic Manufacturing’s sales slumped badly in 2012. For the first time in its history, it operated at a loss. The company’s income statement showed the following results from selling 600,000 units of product: Net sales $2,400,000; total costs and expenses $2,540,000; and net loss $140,000. Costs and expenses consisted of the amounts shown below.

                

Management is considering the following independent alternatives for 2013.
  1. Increase unit selling price 20% with no change in costs, expenses, and sales volume.
  2. Change the compensation of salespersons from fixed annual salaries totaling $150,000 to total salaries of $60,000 plus a 3% commission on net sales.
  3. Purchase new automated equipment that will change the proportion between variable and fixed cost of goods sold to 54% variable and 46% fixed.

Instructions
  (a) Compute the break-even point in dollars for 2012.
  (b) Compute the break-even point in dollars under each of the alternative courses of action. (Round all ratios to nearest full percent.) Which course of action do you recommend?