Simon Companys year-end balance sheets follow. At December 31 Current Yr 1 Yr Ago 2 Yrs Ago Assets Cash $ 30,400 $ 36,250 $ 38,200 Accounts receivable, net 86,700 63,000 50,000 Merchandise inventory 110,000 81,800 53,500 Prepaid expenses 10,750 9,300 4,500 Plant assets, net 277,000 248,500 230,000 Total assets $ 514,850 $ 438,850 $ 376,200 Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable $ 129,600 $ 75,750 $ 51,200 Long-term notes payable secured by mortgages on plant assets 97,500 101,250 83,800 Common stock, $10 par value 163,500 163,500 163,500 Retained earnings 124,250 98,350 77,700 Total liabilities and equity $ 514,850 $ 438,850 $ 376,200 The companys income statements for the Current Year and 1 Year Ago, follow. For Year Ended December 31 Current Yr 1 Yr Ago Sales $ 715,000 $ 560,000 Cost of goods sold $ 414,700 $ 352,800 Other operating expenses 221,650 140,000 Interest expense 12,200 13,100 Income tax

expense 9,500 8,650 Total costs and expenses 658,050 514,550 Net income $ 56,950 $ 45,450 Earnings per share $ 3.48 $ 2.78 For both the Current Year and 1 Year Ago, compute the following ratios:

(3-a) Return on total assets.

(3-b) Based on return on total assets, did Simon's operating efficiency improve or worsen in the Current Year versus 1 Year Ago?