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$[$The following information applies to the questions displayed below.$]$

Simon Company's year$-$end balance sheets follow.

The company's income statements for the current year and one year ago, follow.

$(2-$a$)$ Compute debt$-$to$-$equity ratio for the current year and one year ago.

$(2-$b$)$ Based on debt$-$to$-$equity ratio, does the company have more or less debt in the current year versus one year ago?