What is the difference between a contribution income statement and a traditional income statement?

Respond to the following questions thoroughly, in 150-300 words for each question.  Use your textbook as your first and major reference.

  1. What is the difference between a contribution income statement and a traditional income statement?  Under what circumstances would a firm use each?
  2. What is a company segment?  Why would a firm want to divide itself into operating segments?  Why would a firm want to measure profits by segment?  How would common costs be allocated to each of a company’s segments?