Final answer:
Lindsay's Lawn Service's gross investment in 2013 is the total amount spent on new equipment, which is $10000.
Step-by-step explanation:
In January 2013, Lindsay's Lawn Service (LLS) had equipment valuing $12000. During 2013, LLS bought 3 new riding mowers for a total price of $10000. In December of 2013, the value of LLS's equipment equaled $19000. To calculate LLS's gross investment in 2013, you need to add the value of the equipment purchased to the starting value of the existing equipment and then compare it to the end-of-year value. However, based on the information provided, the net change in equipment value is the end-of-year value minus the start-of-year value ($19000 - $12000 = $7000). This does not match the purchase price of the mowers, indicating potential depreciation or other factors affecting the equipment value that are not accounted for in this problem. Nonetheless, the gross investment refers simply to the total amount spent on new equipment, which in this case is $10000.