Answer:
$52 billion
Explanation:
Given:
No public debt in year 1
budget deficit of $40 billion in year 1
budget deficit of $20 billion in year 2
budget surplus of $10 billion in year 3
budget deficit of $2 billion in year
Now,
The public debt is the sum of deficits and surpluses over time.
The country started year 1 with no public debt,
Thus,
The country's debt at the end of year 4
= deficit year 1 + deficit year 2 - surplus year 3 + deficit year 4
= $40 + $20 - $10 + $2 billion
= $52 billion