# Sales Mix Break-even Point Calculation

Sales mix is the proportion in which two or more products are sold. For the calculation of break-even point for sales mix, following assumptions are made in addition to those already made for CVP analysis:

1. The proportion of sales mix must be predetermined.
2. The sales mix must not change within the relevant time period.

The calculation method for the break-even point of sales mix is based on the contribution approach method. Since we have multiple products in sales mix therefore it is most likely that we will be dealing with products with different contribution margin per unit and contribution margin ratios. This problem is overcome by calculating weighted average contribution margin per unit and contribution margin ratio. These are then used to calculate the break-even point for sales mix.

The calculation procedure and the formulas are discussed via following example:

## Example: Formulas and Calculation Procedure

Following information is related to sales mix of product A, B and C.

 Product A B C Sales Price per Unit $15$21 $36 Variable Cost per Unit$9 $14$19 Sales Mix Percentage 20% 20% 60% Total Fixed Cost $40,000 Calculate the break-even point in units and in dollars. ### Calculation Step 1: Calculate the contribution margin per unit for each product:  Product A B C Sales Price per Unit$15 $21$36 − Variable Cost per Unit $9$14 $19 Contribution Margin per Unit$6 $7$17

Step 2: Calculate the weighted-average contribution margin per unit for the sales mix using the following formula:

Product A CM per Unit × Product A Sales Mix Percentage
+ Product B CM per Unit × Product B Sales Mix Percentage
+ Product C CM per Unit × Product C Sales Mix Percentage
= Weighted Average Unit Contribution Margin

 Product A B C Sales Price per Unit $15$21 $36 − Variable Cost per Unit$9 $14$19 Contribution Margin per Unit $6$7 $17 × Sales Mix Percentage 20% 20% 60%$1.2 $1.4$10.2 Sum: Weighted Average CM per Unit $12.80 Step 3: Calculate total units of sales mix required to break-even using the formula: Break-even Point in Units of Sales Mix = Total Fixed Cost ÷ Weighted Average CM per Unit  Total Fixed Cost$40,000 ÷ Weighted Average CM per Unit $12.80 Break-even Point in Units of Sales Mix 3,125 Step 4: Calculate number units of product A, B and C at break-even point:  Product A B C Sales Mix Ratio 20% 20% 60% × Total Break-even Units 3,125 3,125 3,125 Product Units at Break-even Point 625 625 1,875 Step 5: Calculate Break-even Point in dollars as follows:  Product A B C Product Units at Break-even Point 625 625 1,875 × Price per Unit$15 $21$36 Product Sales in Dollars $9,375$13,125 $67,500 Sum: Break-even Point in Dollars$90,000

Written by Irfanullah Jan