A publisher for a promising new novel figures fixed costs (overhead, advances, promotion, copy editing, typesetting) at $55,000, and variable costs (printing, paper, binding, shipping) at $1.60 for each book produced. If the book is sold to distibutors for $11 each, how many must be produced and sold for the publisher to break even?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Cost equations
c(x) = 1.60x + 55000
Revenue equation
r(x) = 11x
:
Break even is when Revenue = cost, therefore
11x = 1.60x + 55000
11x - 1.6x = 55000
9.4x = 55000
x = 
x ~ 5851 books 
;
:
Prove this to your self
Rev: 11(5851) = $64,361.00
Cost: 1.6(5851) + 55000 = $64,361.60 (slight loss we can sell a portion of a book)