Use the 2008 Form 10-K for Black & Decker Corp. (B&D) (not StanleyBlack & Decker) to complete the requirements below. To obtain the Form 10-K you can use either use the EDGAR system following the instructions in Appendix A, or it can be found under “Investor Relations” on the company’s corporate website at www.bdk.com. Be sure to read carefully the following portions of the document: 

■ “General Development of the Business” on page 1 

■ “Consolidated Statement of Earnings” on page 36. 

Required

a. Calculate the percentage decrease in B&D’s sales and its “operating income” from 2007 to 2008.

b. Would fixed costs or variable costs be more likely to explain why B&D’s operating earnings decreased by a bigger percentage than its sales?

c. On page 42, B&D reported that it incurred product development costs of $146.0 million in 2008. If this cost is thought of in the context of the number of units of products sold, should it be considered as primarily fixed or variable in nature?

d. If the product development costs are thought of in the context of the number of new products developed, should they be considered as primarily fixed or variable in nature?