
CHAPTER 3
WORKING WITH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
Answers to Concepts Review and Critical Thinking Questions
1. a. If inventory is purchased with cash, then there is no change in the current ratio. If inventory is
purchased on credit, then there is a decrease in the current ratio if it was initially greater than 1.0.
b. Reducing accounts payable with cash increases the current ratio if it was initially greater than 1.0.
c. Reducing short-term debt with cash increases the current ratio if it was initially greater than 1.0.
d. As long-term debt approaches maturity, the principal repayment and the remaining interest
expense become current liabilities. Thus, if debt is paid off with cash, the current ratio increases
e. Reduction of accounts receivables and an increase in cash leaves the current ratio unchanged.
f. Inventory sold at cost reduces inventory and raises cash, so the current ratio is unchanged.
g. Inventory sold for a profit raises cash in excess of the inventory recorded at cost, so the current
ratio increases.
2. The firm has increased inventory relative to other current assets; therefore, assuming current liability
levels remain unchanged, liquidity has potentially decreased.
3. A current ratio of 0.50 means that the firm has twice as much in current liabilities as it does in
current assets; the firm potentially has poor liquidity. If pressed by its short-term creditors and
suppliers for immediate payment, the firm might have a difficult time meeting its obligations. A
current ratio of 1.50 means the firm has 50% more current assets than it does current liabilities. This
4. a. Quick ratio provides a measure of the short-term liquidity of the firm, after removing the effects
of inventory, generally the least liquid of the firm’s current assets.
b. Cash ratio represents the ability of the firm to completely pay off its current liabilities with its
most liquid asset (cash).
c. Total asset turnover measures how much in sales is generated by each dollar of firm assets.
d. Equity multiplier represents the degree of leverage for an equity investor of the firm; it measures
the dollar worth of firm assets each equity dollar has a claim to.
e. Long-term debt ratio measures the percentage of total firm capitalization funded by long-term
debt.