Final answer:
The entry to record the sale of the machine will include a loss of $750, calculated as the difference between the book value of the machine ($3,250) on the sale date and the sale price ($2,500).
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the gain or loss on the sale of the machine, we first need to determine the machine's book value as of the sale date. The book value is the original cost minus accumulated depreciation. The machine, originally costing $6,000 with a salvage value of $500, has a depreciable amount of $5,500 ($6,000 - $500). Over its 5-year life, it depreciates $1,100 per year ($5,500 ÷ 5).
By July 1, 2017, 2.5 years of depreciation would have been recorded, totaling $2,750 ($1,100 per year × 2.5 years). The book value on July 1, 2017 would then be $3,250 ($6,000 original cost - $2,750 accumulated depreciation).
When the machine is sold for $2,500, this is lower than the book value of $3,250. Therefore, we record a loss on the sale. The loss is calculated as the difference between the book value and the sale price: $750 ($3,250 - $2,500).
So, the entry to record the sale will include a loss of $750.