Final answer:
The depreciation allowance per mile for the RV is calculated by subtracting the residual value from the original cost and dividing by the total miles. It results in a depreciation allowance of $2.69 per mile.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks us to calculate the depreciation allowance per mile for Melissa Gamez's used RV. To find this, we'll use the formula for straight-line depreciation, which is (original cost - residual value) / total miles at the time of purchase.
The original cost of the RV was $74,000 and the residual value is $20,800. Melissa purchased the RV with 19,800 miles on it. So, the total depreciation is $74,000 - $20,800 = $53,200. To find the depreciation allowance per mile, we divide the total depreciation by the number of miles, which gives us $53,200 / 19,800 miles = $2.69 per mile.