Acompany's inventory balance at the end of the year was $204,200 and $218,000 at the beginning of the year. its accounts payable balance at the end of the year was $102,000 and $96,200 at the beginning of the year, and its cost of goods sold for the year was $738,000. the company's total amount of cash payments for merchandise during the year equals:

a $738,000.
b $746,000.
c $757,600.
d $718,400.

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.