Required information The following information applies to the questions displayed below.) Simon Company's year-end balance sheets follow At December 31 Assets Cash Accounts receivable, net Merchandise inventory Prepaid expenses Plant assets, net Total assets 2017 2016 2015 $ 31,393 $ 36,695 $ 38,224 89,100 62,700 51,100 113,000 82,500 55,000 10,109 9,632 4,247 293,849 271,793 241,429 $537,451 $463,320 $390,000 Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable Long-term notes payable $132,487 $ 77,518 $ 50,965 secured by mortgages on plant assets 100,030 105,498 85, 328 Common stock, $10 par value 162,500 162,500 162,500 142,434 117,804 91 207 $537,451 $463,320 $390,000 Retained earnings Total liabilities and equity The company's income statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, follow. Assume that all sales are on credit: For Year Ended December 31 Sales Cost of goods sold Other operating expenses Interest expense Income taxes Total costs and expenses Net income 2017 2016 $698,686 $551,351 $426,198 216,593 11,878 $358,378 139,492 12,681 9,083 8,270 663,752 34,934 $ 2.15 518, 821 32,530 $ 2.00 Earnings per share (3) Compute inventory turnover Inventory Turnover Choose Numerator: Choose Denominator: Inventory Turnover Inventory turnover 2017 2016: times times