The beginning inventory is 5,000 units. All of the units manufactured during the period and 3,000 units of the beginning inventory were sold. The beginning inventory fixed costs are $25 per unit, and variable costs are $55 per unit. Determine (a) whether variable costing operating income is less than or greater than absorption costing operating income and (b) the difference in variable costing and absorption operating income.

Absorption Costing

An approach in accounting that adds up all costs associated with manufacturing, including direct materials, workforce expenses, and all overhead costs, both variable and fixed, into the product pricing.

Variable Costing

An accounting method that only includes variable production costs (direct materials, direct labor, and variable manufacturing overhead) in product costs.

Operating Income

The profit realized from a business's core operations, excluding taxes and interest expenses.