12) an asset was acquired on january 1, 2018, for $15,000 with an estimated 4-year life and $1,000 residual value. the company uses straight-line depreciation. calculate the gain or loss if the asset was sold on december 31, 2020, for $5,000. gain

$500 gain

Explanation:

For computing the gain or loss, first we have to determine the depreciation expense so that we can find the book value of an asset

So, under the straight-line method, the depreciation expense would be

= (Original cost - residual value) ÷ (useful life)

= ($15,000 - $1,000) ÷ (4 years)

= ($14,000) ÷ (4 years)  

= $3,500

For three years, the depreciation would be

= $3,500 × 3 years

= $10,500

In this method, the depreciation is same for all the remaining useful life

Now the book value would be

= Acquired value of an asset - accumulated depreciation

= $15,000 - $10,500

= $4,500

So, the gain would be

= Sale value - book value

= $5,000 - $4,500

= $500