Final answer:
The current total product cost is $45 million, the current average product cost per unit is $3, the current fixed cost per unit is $0.20. The forecasted total product cost next year is $75 million, the forecasted average product cost next year is $3, and the forecasted fixed cost per unit is $0.12. The average product cost decreases as production increases due to the spreading of fixed costs over a larger number of units.
Step-by-step explanation:
1. The current total product cost, including fixed and variable costs, can be calculated by multiplying the number of units (15 million) by the total cost per unit ($3). So the current total product cost is $45 million.
2. The current average product cost per unit can be calculated by dividing the current total product cost ($45 million) by the number of units (15 million). So the current average product cost per unit is $3.
3. The current fixed cost per unit is calculated by dividing the fixed manufacturing overhead costs ($3 million) by the number of units (15 million). So the current fixed cost per unit is $0.20.
4. The forecasted total product cost next year, including fixed and variable costs, can be calculated by multiplying the number of units (25 million) by the total cost per unit ($3). So the forecasted total product cost next year is $75 million.
5. The forecasted average product cost next year can be calculated by dividing the forecasted total product cost next year ($75 million) by the number of units (25 million). So the forecasted average product cost next year is $3.
6. The forecasted fixed cost per unit is calculated by dividing the fixed manufacturing overhead costs ($3 million) by the number of units (25 million). So the forecasted fixed cost per unit is $0.12.
7. The average product cost decreases as production increases because the fixed costs are spread over a larger number of units. This means that the fixed cost per unit decreases as more units are produced, resulting in a lower average product cost.