In general, the greater the degree of product differentiation (a) the less elastic is the demand curve. (b) the more elastic is the demand curve. (c) the smaller is the firm’s profit. (d) the more intense is competition. (e) the greater the chance of customers switching suppliers.

In its 2016 annual report, caterpillar inc. reported the following (in millions): 2016 2015 sales $38,537 $47,011 cost of goods sold 28,309 33,546 as a percentage of sales, did caterpillar's gross profit increase or decrease during 2016? select one: a. gross profit increased from 26.8% to 28.6% b. gross profit decreased from 28.6% to 26.5% c. gross profit increased from 71.4% to 73.2% d. gross profit decreased from 73.2% to 71.4% e. there is not enough information to answer the question.

James albemarle created a trust fund at the beginning of 2016. the income from this fund will go to his son edward. when edward reaches the age of 25, the principal of the fund will be conveyed to united charities of cleveland. mr. albemarle specified that 75 percent of trustee fees are to be paid from principal. terry jones, cpa, is the trustee. james albemarle transferred cash of $500,000, stocks worth $400,000, and rental property valued at $250,000 to the trustee of this fund. immediately invested cash of $360,000 in bonds issued by the u.s. government. commissions of $7,900 are paid on this transaction. incurred permanent repairs of $9,000 so that the property can be rented. payment is made immediately. received dividends of $8,000. of this amount, $3,000 had been declared prior to the creation of the trust fund. paid insurance expense of $4,000 on the rental property. received rental income of $10,000. paid $8,000 from the trust for trustee services rendered. conveyed cash of $7,000 to edward albemarle.

Four students are at an extracurricular activity fair at their high school and are trying to decide which clubs to join. some information about the students is listed in this chart: which describes which ctso each student should join?