The High-low Method
　　1 The fixed and variable elements of semi-variable costs can be determined by the high-low method.
　　2 There are several methods for identifying the fixed and variable elements of semi-variable costs.Each method is only an estimate,and each will produce different results,One of the principal methods is the high-low method.
　　3 Follow the steps below to estimate the fixed and variable elements of semi-variable costs.
　　3.1 Step 1
　　3.1.1 Review records of costs in previous periods.
　　3.1.2 Select the period with the highest activity level.
　　3.1.3 Select the period with the lowest activity level.
　　3.2 Step 2
　　3.2.1 Determine the following.
　　3.2.2 Total cost at high activity level
　　3.2.3 Total costs at low activity level
　　3.2.4 Total units at high acticity level
　　3.2.5 Total units at low activity level
　　3.3 Step 3
　　3.3.1 Calculate the following
　　3.3.2 (Total cost at high activity level－total cost at low activity level) ÷(Total units at high activity level－total units at low activity level) ＝variable cost per unit(v)
　　3.4 Step 4
　　3.4.1 The fixed costs can be determined as follows
　　3.4.2 (Total cost at high activity level) －(total units at high activity level×variable cost per unit)
　　【Example】The costs of operating the canteen at 'Eat a lot Company' for the past three months is as follows.
　　Month         Cost$           Employees
　　1             72,500           1,250
　　2             75,000           1,300
　　3             68,750           1,175
　　Calcuate
　　(1) Variable cost(per employee per month)
　　(2) Fixed cost per month
　　Solution:
　　(1) Variable cost＝$50 per employee per month
　　(2) Fixed costs＝$10,000 per month
　　Analasis
　　Activity      Cost $
　　High       1,300       75,000
　　Low        1,175       68,750
　　125        6,250
　　Variable cost per employee＝$6,250/125＝$50
　　For 1,175 employee,total cost＝$68,750
　　Total cost＝variable cost＋fixed cost＝（1,175×$50）＋fixed cost＝$68,750
　　Fixed cost＝$68,750－$58,750＝$10,000.