The yield to maturity on one-year zero-coupon bonds is \7.7. The yield to maturity on two-year zero-coupon bonds is \8.7. Required: a. What is the forward rate of interest for the second year? (Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to 2 decimal places.) b. If you believe in the expectations hypothesis, what is your best guess as to the expected value of the short-term interest rate next year? (Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to \\( \\mathbf{2} \\) decimal places.) c. If you believe in the liquidity preference theory, is your best guess as to next year's short-term interest rate higher or lower than in \\( (b) \\) ? Higher Lower