Equivalent units — solving for unknowns (Appendix 2.1). For each of the following independent cases, calculate the information requested, using FIFO costing.

a. Beginning inventory amounted to 2,000 units. The firm started and completed 4,500 units during this period. At the end of the period, the firm had 3,000 units in inventory that were 30 percent complete. Using FIFO costing, the equivalent production for t he period was 5,600 units. What was the percentage of completion of the beginning inventory?

b. The ending inventory included $8,700 for conversion costs. During the period, the firm required 4.200 equivalent units to complete the beginning inventory and started and completed 6,000 units. The ending inventory represented 2,000 equivalent units of work this period. What was the total conversion cost incurred during this period?