Final answer:
Fred should compute the Cash ratio to know how long his store can pay its bills given the amount of cash the store currently has.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Fred wants to know how long his store can pay its bills using the amount of cash the store currently has, he should compute the Cash ratio. The Cash ratio is a financial ratio that compares a company's cash and cash equivalents to its current liabilities. It indicates the company's ability to cover its short-term liabilities with its available cash.
The formula for the Cash ratio is:
Cash ratio = (Cash + Cash Equivalents) / Current Liabilities
Fred can use this ratio to assess whether the store has enough cash to meet its immediate payment obligations.