Answer:
D) $9,818
Explanation:
This can be determined using the following 3 steps.
Step 1. Calculation of interest expense under a restricted policy
Sales = $3,600,000
Asset turnover = Sales/ Total assets = 2.5 .................. (1)
Substituting sales into equation (1) and solve for Total assets, we have:
$3,600,000/ Total assets = 2.5
Total assets = $3,600,000 / 2.5
Total assets = $1,440,000
Since Debt is 50% of Total assets, we therefore have:
Debt = 50% * Total assets = 50% * $1,440,000 = $720,000
Since the interest rate on the firm's debt is 10%, we have:
Interest expense under a restricted policy = 10% * Debt = 10% * $720,000 = $72,000
Step 2. Calculation of interest expense under a relaxed policy
Sales = $3,600,000
Asset turnover = Sales/ Total assets = 2.2 .................. (1)
Substituting sales into equation (1) and solve for Total assets, we have:
$3,600,000/ Total assets = 2.2
Total assets = $3,600,000 / 2.2
Total assets = $1,636,363.64
Since Debt is 50% of Total assets, we therefore have:
Debt = 50% * Total assets = 50% * $1,636,363.64 = 818,181.82
Since the interest rate on the firm's debt is 10%, we have:
Interest expense under a restricted policy = 10% * Debt = 10% * 818,181.82 = $81,818
Step 3. Calculation of difference between interest expense under a restricted policy and a relaxed policy
Difference between interest expenses = Interest expense under a restricted policy - Interest expense under a relaxed policy = $81,818 - $72,000 = $9,818
Therefore, the interest expense under a relaxed policy would be $9,818 lower than interest expense under the relaxed policy.