A firm can purchase new equipment for a $24,000 initial investment. The equipment generates an annual after-tax cash inflow of $5,000 NPV and maximum return for 8 years. a. Determine the net present value (NPV) of the asset, assuming that the firm has a cost of capital of 9%. Is the project acceptable? b. Determine the maximum required rate of return that the firm can have and still accept the asset. a. The net present value (NPV) of the new equipment is (Round to the nearest cent)