Helix Corporation uses the weighted-average method in its process costing system. It produces prefabricated flooring in a series of steps carried out in production departments. All of the material that is used in the first production department is added at the beginning of processing in that department. Data for May for the first production department follow: Percent Complete Units Materials Conversion Work in process inventory, May 1 5,000 100 % 40 % Work in process inventory, May 31 10,000 100 % 30 % Materials cost in work in process inventory, May 1 $ 1,500 Conversion cost in work in process inventory, May 1 $ 4,000 Units started into production 180,000 Units transferred to the next production department 175,000 Materials cost added during May $ 54,000 Conversion cost added during May $ 352,000 Required: 1. Calculate the first production department's equivalent units of production for materials and conversion for May. 2. Compute the first production department's cost per equivalent unit for materials and conversion for May. 3. Compute the first production department's cost of ending work in process inventory for materials, conversion, and in total for May. 4. Compute the first production department's cost of the units transferred to the next production department for materials, conversion, and in total for May.

Note: The data in this question are merged together. They are therefore sorted before answering the question. See the attached pdf file for the reproduced question with the sorted data.

The explanation to the answer is now given as follows:

1. Calculate the first production department's equivalent units of production for materials and conversion for May.

Note: See the part 1 of the attached excel file for the calculations:

First production department's equivalent units of production for May for:

Materials = 185,000 units

Conversion = 178,000 units

2. Compute the first production department's cost per equivalent unit for materials and conversion for May.

Note: See the part 2 of the attached excel file for the calculations:

First production department's cost per equivalent unit for May for:

Materials = $0.30

Conversion = $2.00

3. Compute the first production department's cost of ending work in process inventory for materials, conversion, and in total for May.

First production department's cost of ending work in process inventory for May for:

Materials = Cost per equivalent unit for material * Units transferred to the next production department = $0.30 * 175,000 units = $52,500

Conversion = cost per equivalent unit for conversion * Units transferred to the next production department = $2.00 * 175,000 units = $350,000

Total = $52,500 + $350,000 = $402,500

4. Compute the first production department's cost of the units transferred to the next production department for materials, conversion, and in total for May.

First production department's cost of the units transferred to the next production department for May for:

Materials = Cost per equivalent unit for material * Material ending work in process = $0.30 * 10,000 units = $3,000

Conversion = cost per equivalent unit for conversion * Conversion ending work in process = $2.00 * 3,000 units = $6,000

Total = $3,000 + $6,000 = $9,000

Note: See part 1 of the attached excel file for the calculation of ending work in process of Material and Conversion.