Answer:
A. Total two-year interest cost under long term fixed-rate plan is $195,800; while total two-year interest cost under short term variable-rate is $176,220.
B. Short-term variable-rate plan is less costly.
Step-by-step explanation:
A. Determine the total two-year interest cost under each plan.
This can be determined for each of the plan as follows:
For Long term fixed-rate plan
Total two-year interest cost under long term fixed-rate plan = Amount required * Interest rate per year * Number of years = $890,000 * 11% * 2 = $195,800
For Short term variable-rate
First year interest cost under short term variable-rate = Amount required * First year interest rate = $890,000 * 7.25% = $64,525
Second year interest cost under short term variable-rate = Amount required * Second year interest rate = $890,000 * 12.55% = $111,695
Total two-year interest cost under short term variable-rate = First year interest cost + Second year interest cost = $64,525 + $111,695 = $176,220
Therefore, we have:
Interest Cost
Long term fixed-rate plan $195,800
Short term variable-rate $176,220
B. Which plan is less costly?
Since the total two-year interest cost under short term variable-rate of $176,220 is less than $195,8000 total two-year interest cost under long term fixed-rate plan, the Short-term variable-rate plan is therefore less costly.