Capital structure$$ analysis$)$The Karson Transport Company currently has net operating income of $ $503$ comma $000$ and pays interest expense of $ $209$ comma $000.$ The company plans to borrow $ $1\mathrm{.}18$ million on which the firm will pay $8$ percent interest. The borrowed money will be used to finance an investment that is expected to increase the$$ firm's net operating income by $ $410$ comma $000$ a year.

a$.$ What is$$ Karson's times interest earned ratio before the loan is taken out and the investment is$$ made?

b$.$ What effect will the loan and the investment have on the$$ firm's times interest earned$$ ratio?