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Engineering Economics Simulations

A collection of interactive 3D visualizations and simulations to help you master concepts in engineering economics.

Introduction to Engineering Economics - Theory & Concepts

Fundamental concepts, terminology, and the economic environment in engineering.

Cost Behavior & Break-Even Analysis

Fixed Cost5,000 $

Costs that remain constant regardless of production volume (e.g., rent, insurance).

Variable Cost per Unit15 $/unit

Costs that vary directly with production volume (e.g., direct materials, labor).

Selling Price per Unit30 $/unit

The revenue generated per unit sold.

Max Graph Quantity1,000 units

Analysis Summary

Contribution Margin:$15.00/unit
Break-Even Quantity:334 units

Cost & Revenue vs. Quantity

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At Break-Even: Total Cost=Revenue=$10,000Total\ Cost = Revenue = \$10,000

Annuities and Gradients - Theory & Concepts

Analysis of uniform series (annuities), deferred annuities, perpetuities, and arithmetic/geometric gradients.

Gradient Cash Flow Visualizer

Base Amount (A1)1,000 $
Gradient (G)500 $ / yr

Constant amount change per year

Years (n)10 yrs
Interest Rate (i)10 %

Analysis

Total Present Worth:$17,590
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Present Worth Analysis - Theory & Concepts

Evaluating alternatives using the Present Worth method, Least Common Multiple (LCM), and Capitalized Cost.

Present Worth Analysis Simulator

Total Present Worth (PW)

$3339.30
Project Justified (PW ≥ 0)
PW=P+A(P/A,i,n)+S(P/F,i,n)PW = -P + A(P/A, i, n) + S(P/F, i, n)

Cumulative Present Worth over Time

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Future and Annual Worth Analysis - Theory & Concepts - A W F W Visualizer

Comparing alternatives using Future Worth, Annual Worth methods, and Capital Recovery.

Equivalence Visualizer

Initial Cost (P)10,000 $
Annual Benefit (A)3,000 $ / yr
Salvage Value (S)2,000 $
Life (n)5 yrs
Interest Rate (MARR)10 %

Total PW

$2,614

Total AW

$690

Total FW

$4,210

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Note that PW, AW, and FW all lead to the same accept/reject decision (positive vs negative).

Rate of Return Analysis - Theory & Concepts - I R R Visualizer

Calculating Internal Rate of Return (IRR), External Rate of Return (ERR), and Incremental Analysis.

IRR Visualizer

Cash Flows

Yr 0
Yr 1
Yr 2
Yr 3
Yr 4
Approx. IRR:7.71%
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Inflation and Purchasing Power - Theory & Concepts

Understanding the effects of inflation, real vs actual dollars, and the Fisher Equation in engineering economic analysis.

Purchasing Power Erosion Simulator

Results

Initial Value:
$1,000
Final Power:
$553.68
Value Lost:
-$446
Erosion Formula:
Powern=P(1+f)nPower_n = \frac{P}{(1 + f)^n}
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Depreciation - Theory & Concepts

Methods of depreciation including Straight Line, Declining Balance, SYD, MACRS, and Depletion.

Depreciation Methods Comparison

First Cost (P)10,000 $

Initial cost of the asset including installation.

Salvage Value (SV)1,000 $

Estimated value at the end of useful life.

Useful Life (n)5 years

Formula & Details

Straight Line depreciates uniformly.

Dt=PSVnD_t = \frac{P - SV}{n}

Book Value & Depreciation Schedule

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Depreciation - Theory & Concepts - Depreciation Calculator

Methods of depreciation including Straight Line, Declining Balance, SYD, MACRS, and Depletion.

Equipment Depreciation Comparison

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Straight Line: Constant depreciation amount each year.

Sum of Years Digits: Accelerated depreciation (higher in early years).

Double Declining Balance: Most aggressive early depreciation, often used for tax benefits.

Replacement Analysis - Theory & Concepts

Determining when an existing asset should be replaced by calculating Economic Service Life (ESL) and analyzing Defender vs Challenger.

Economic Service Life (ESL) Visualizer

Initial Cost ($P$)20,000 $
Base Annual Operating Cost2,000 $
AOC Annual Increase Gradient1,000 $ / yr
Market Value Deprec. Rate20 %
Interest Rate (MARR)10 %
Economic Service Life (ESL)3 YearsMinimum EUAC: $7,885 / yr
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Benefit-Cost Ratio and Payback Period - Theory & Concepts

Public sector project analysis using B/C ratio and Payback Period methods.

Payback Period Analyzer

Cash Flows

Yr 0
Yr 1
Yr 2
Yr 3
Yr 4
Yr 5
Payback Period:3.20 Years
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Break-Even and Sensitivity Analysis - Theory & Concepts - Eng Mgmt Break Even

Decision making under uncertainty using Break-Even (linear and non-linear) and Sensitivity analysis.

Break-Even Analysis Tool

Fixed Costs (FC)50,000 $

Rent, salaries, insurance, etc.

Variable Cost per Unit (VC)20 $

Materials, labor per unit, etc.

Price per Unit (P)45 $

Selling price of the product.

Break-Even Point

Units:2,000
Revenue:$90,000
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After-Tax Economic Analysis - Theory & Concepts - After Tax

Performing economic evaluations considering the impact of corporate taxes, effective tax rates, and After-Tax Cash Flow (ATCF).

After-Tax Cash Flow Visualizer

Gross Annual Income50,000 $
Operating Expenses15,000 $
Annual Depreciation10,000 $
Corporate Tax Rate21 %

Tax Shield Analysis

BTCF:$35,000
Taxes Paid:-$5,250
Final ATCF:$29,750
The Depreciation ShieldBy claiming $10,000 in non-cash depreciation, the company reduced its tax bill by $2,100.
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Capital Budgeting and Rationing - Theory & Concepts - Capital Rationing

Selecting a portfolio of independent projects under a strict capital constraint.

Capital Rationing Simulator

Independent Projects

Optimal Feasible Bundle

Project B+Project C
Total PW Max.
$10,000
Total Cost
$45,000
Budget: $50,000

Project Selection (Cost vs PW)

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Selected Cost
Selected PW
Rejected