a building is puchased for 60,000 and is to be totally depreciated by the stright-line method over a 20-year period.

a) what is the amount to be depreciated each year?

b) find a linear function that expresses the book value of the building as a function of years from the date of purchase.

A building is purchased for 60,000 and is to be totally depreciated by the straight-line method over a 20-year period.

a) what is the amount to be depreciated each year?

b) find a linear function that expresses the book value of the building as a function of years from the date of purchase.


a. Straight-line method over 20 years is 1/20th per year (I think. I'm not an accountant). 1/20 of 60,000 = 1/20 x 60,000.

b. Linear function: Y=mX + b
Y is the book value; X is the number of years. X is the slope (1/20); b is the Y-intercept = 0

Book \, Value = 60,000 - 0.05\,\times\,Year \,\times\,60,000 \,=\, 60,000(1-0.05\,Year)

a. Straight-line method over 20 years is 1/20th per year (I think. I'm not an accountant). 1/20 of 60,000 = 1/20 x 60,000.

Yes, that's correct.


Book \, Value = 60,000 - 0.05\,\times\,Year \,\times\,60,000 \,=\, 60,000(1-0.05\,Year)

How about 60,000 - 3000y. Which is actually a lot closer to the way it would really be done in accounting. Though applying algebra to depreciation seems a little silly to me.