Final answer:
Blackwell Automotive's long-term debt is calculated by determining total liabilities using the accounting equation and subtracting short-term liabilities from this amount. After performing the calculations, the long-term debt is found to be $173,421.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the amount of long-term debt that Blackwell Automotive has, we need to calculate the liabilities that are not enumerated in the balance sheet information provided and subtract the sum of short-term liabilities from the total liabilities. Total liabilities can be derived by adding together the company's equity and liabilities, and subtracting its assets, since the basic accounting equation states that Assets = Liabilities + Equity. Here, the equity components are common stock and retained earnings.
The sum of the equity is the common stock of $311,300 plus retained earnings of $512,159, equating to $823,459. Summing up the given liabilities, we have accounts payable of $163,257 and short-term notes payable of $21,115, which totals to $184,372. Now, we compile the assets which include cash of $23,015, inventory of $213,000, goodwill and other assets of $78,656, net plant and equipment of $714,100, accounts receivable of $141,258, and other current assets of $11,223, leading to a sum of $1,181,252.
Using the accounting equation to find total liabilities: $1,181,252 (assets) = Total Liabilities + $823,459 (equity), we discover that Total Liabilities are $357,793. Subtracting the total short-term liabilities from this amount, we are left with long-term debt: $357,793 (Total Liabilities) - $184,372 (Short-term liabilities) = $173,421. Therefore, Blackwell Automotive's long-term debt is $173,421.