Final answer:
The fixed cost per month for Mantilla Beverages, Inc. is determined by finding the variable cost per unit and then using it to calculate fixed costs. The fixed costs are found to be $46,000, which corresponds to option C from the provided choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the fixed cost per month for Mantilla Beverages, Inc., we need to determine the cost that does not change with the level of production. According to the provided scenarios, the highest total cost of $800,000 was in June when production volume was 13,000 units, and the lowest total cost of $510,000 was in December when the production volume was 8,000 units. These costs include both fixed and variable costs.
First, we find the variable cost per unit by subtracting the total cost of the lowest production month from the total cost of the highest production month and dividing the result by the difference in production volumes:
Variable Cost per Unit = (Total Cost at Higher Production - Total Cost at Lower Production) / (Higher Production Volume - Lower Production Volume)
Variable Cost per Unit = ($800,000 - $510,000) / (13,000 units - 8,000 units)
Variable Cost per Unit = $290,000 / 5,000 units
Variable Cost per Unit = $58
Next, we calculate the fixed cost by subtracting the total variable cost at one production level from the total cost at that same production level:
Fixed Cost = Total Cost at Lower Production - (Variable Cost per Unit * Lower Production Volume)
Fixed Cost = $510,000 - ($58 * 8,000)
Fixed Cost = $510,000 - $464,000
Fixed Cost = $46,000
Therefore, the fixed cost per month is $46,000, which is option C.