An individual acts as a finder, facilitating mergers and acquisitions of companies that are both publicly and privately held. the individual searches for companies that appear to be compatible and that will either enjoy a revenue enhancement or cost reduction benefit from the transaction. the individual just introduces the parties to the proposed transaction, but has no involvement in the agreements or valuation. upon the closing of the deal, the individual is paid a percentage of the transaction. under nasaa rules, this individual:

Shelby company produces three products: product x, product y, and product z. data concerning the three products follow (per unit): product x product y product z selling price $ 85 $ 65 $ 75 variable expenses: direct materials 25.50 19.50 5.25 labor and overhead 25.50 29.25 47.25 total variable expenses 51.00 48.75 52.50 contribution margin $ 34.00 $ 16.25 $ 22.50 contribution margin ratio 40 % 25 % 30 % demand for the company’s products is very strong, with far more orders each month than the company can produce with the available raw materials. the same material is used in each product. the material costs $8 per pound, with a maximum of 4,400 pounds available each month. required: a. compute contribution margin per pound of materials used. (round your intermediate calculations and final answers to 2 decimal places.) contribution margin per pound product x $ product y $ product z $ b. which orders would you advise the company to accept first, those for product x, for product y, or for product z? which orders second? third? product x product y product z