Your company is trying to decide which of the two following devices should be selected. Device A: costs $1,000 but can save $300 annually
Device B: costs $1,350 but can save $300 the first year, but savings is increased $50 annually thereafter.
Both devices have 5-year useful life and no salvage value
a) Draw cash flow diagram for each option
b) If interest rate is 7%, which device should your company purchase?

a) Find the attached jpeg file for the cash flow diagram

b) The company should purchase Device B.

Explanation:

a) Draw cash flow diagram for each option

A project cash flow diagram is a tool that is used to present a visual representation of the cost of a project and cash it is expected to generate over a specified period of time. On the diagram, x-axis represents the year,  and y-axis represents cash out flows and/or inflows.

Note: See the attached jpeg for the cash flow diagram.

b) If interest rate is 7%, which device should your company purchase?

To determine this, we compare the Net Present Value (NPV) of the 2 devices.

Note: See the attached excel file for the calculation of the NPVs of the two devices.

From the attached excel file, we have:

NPV of Device A = $230

NPV of Device B = $262

Decision: Since $262 NPV of Device B is greater than the $230 NPV of Device A, the company should purchase Device B.