The following selected account balances appeared on the financial statements of the Washington Company. Use these balances to answer the questions that follow. Accounts receivable, Jan. 1 $13,000 Accounts receivable, Dec. 31 9,000 Accounts payable, Jan. 1 4,000 Accounts payable, Dec. 31 7,000 Inventory, Jan. 1 10,000 Inventory, Dec. 31 15,000 Sales 56,000 Cost of goods sold 31,000 The Washington Company uses the direct method to calculate net cash flow from operating activities. Assume that all accounts payable are owed to merchandise suppliers. Cash collections from customers were

The business cycle is the periodic but irregular up-and-down movement in economic activity, measured by fluctuations in real gross domestic product (gdp) and other macroeconomic variables. a business cycle is typically characterized by four phases—recession, recovery, growth, and decline—that repeat themselves over time. economists note, however, that complete business cycles vary in length. the duration of business cycles can be anywhere from about two to twelve years, with most cycles averaging six years in length. some business analysts use the business cycle model and terminology to study and explain fluctuations in business inventory and other individual elements of corporate operations. but the term "business cycle" is still primarily associated with larger (industry-wide, regional, national, or even international) business trends.