Answer: $20,000
Explanation:
The times-interest-earned ratio is used to know the ability of a firm to pay interest on a particular debt. It is calculated as the addition of the net income, the taxes and the interest expense, which is then divided by the interest.
Based on the information given, the interest expenses will be represented by y and solved further as:
= (200,000 + 40000 + y) / y = 13
= (240000 + y) / y = 13
Cross multiply
240000 + y = 13 × y
240000 + y = 13y
13y - y = 240000
12y = 240000
y = 240000/12
y = 200000
Therefore, the interest expense is $20,000
Here is the algebra. (1) [(240,000 + x) / x} = 13. (2) 240,000+ x = 13x. (3) 240,000 = 12x. (4) x = 20,000