USA Weighted average cost method

[Mariazh22]

Wanda owns a book store and needed to compute her inventory. She had 600 books on the floor and another 300 in the storeroom. She also had 45 electronic readers on the floor and 25 in the storeroom. Each book costs $15 and each electronic reader costs $250.

Using the weighted average cost method, the cost of each item being sold is __________.

31.96 should be the answer. I need some short explanation. Thanks!

 

[Ecommerce Accountants LLP]

What do you think might be the difference between the average cost of the items (15 + 250) / 2 and the weighted average cost of the items (15 * 900 + 250 * 70) / (900 + 70)?

 

[Werner Reisacher]

Disregarding all accounting rules regarding inventory valuation, the following excel formula will solve the arithmetical part of the calculation:
=+((900*15)+(45*250))/945 ($26.19)
There are three common accounting methods that are used to calculate the unit cost of items we are keeping in the inventory. The weighted-average method is one of them. LIFO and FIFO are the two others.
Calculating the average-weighted cost of an item is arithmetically simple as shown above. But when it comes to accounting, the data we are using must provide us with transparency and allow us to identify reasons that caused deviations from prior years or expected budgeted results. Therefore, the weighted-average cost method can only be used if we calculate the cost basis for products that are identical to each other. (same price range/same product category)
Mixing books ($15) with electronics ($ 250) would totally defeat that purpose.
Below is a URL that might be helpful:

Weighted Average vs. FIFO vs. LIFO: What’s the Difference?

The main difference among weighted average, FIFO, and LIFO accounting is how each calculates inventory and cost of goods sold. Each system is appropriate for different situations.

www.investopedia.com

 

[Mariazh22]

What do you think might be the difference between the average cost of the items (15 + 250) / 2 and the weighted average cost of the items (15 * 900 + 250 * 70) / (900 + 70)?

Thank you.

 

[Mariazh22]

Disregarding all accounting rules regarding inventory valuation, the following excel formula will solve the arithmetical part of the calculation:
=+((900*15)+(45*250))/945 ($26.19)
There are three common accounting methods that are used to calculate the unit cost of items we are keeping in the inventory. The weighted-average method is one of them. LIFO and FIFO are the two others.
Calculating the average-weighted cost of an item is arithmetically simple as shown above. But when it comes to accounting, the data we are using must provide us with transparency and allow us to identify reasons that caused deviations from prior years or expected budgeted results. Therefore, the weighted-average cost method can only be used if we calculate the cost basis for products that are identical to each other. (same price range/same product category)
Mixing books ($15) with electronics ($ 250) would totally defeat that purpose.
Below is a URL that might be helpful:

Weighted Average vs. FIFO vs. LIFO: What’s the Difference?

The main difference among weighted average, FIFO, and LIFO accounting is how each calculates inventory and cost of goods sold. Each system is appropriate for different situations.

www.investopedia.com

Thanks