Final answer:
To find the smallest number of units that must be sold for the company to realize a profit, calculate the break-even point. The break-even point is found by dividing the total fixed cost by the contribution margin per unit. The answer is approximately 3243 units.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the number of units that must be sold in order for the company to realize a profit, we need to determine the break-even point. The break-even point is the level of production where total revenue equals total cost.
First, let's calculate the total cost per unit:
Total cost per unit = Material cost + Labor cost = $2.35 + $3.15 = $5.5
Next, let's calculate the contribution margin per unit:
Contribution margin per unit = Selling price - Total cost per unit = $7.35 - $5.5 = $1.85
To find the break-even point, divide the total fixed cost by the contribution margin per unit:
Break-even point = Total fixed cost ÷ Contribution margin per unit = $6000 ÷ $1.85 ≈ 3243
Therefore, the smallest number of units that must be sold for the company to realize a profit is approximately 3243 units.