Answer:
a. $0
The company was organized in January, Year 1. They do not have to pay dividends because the company just started operations. The cumulative dividends are only to be paid at the end of the period so there is no dividend arrear here.
b. Preferred shareholders are meant to get:
= 4,000 shares * 50 * 6%
= $12,000 per year
As they are owed $12,000 from the first year and are now owed for the second, the dividends they will get is:
= 12,000 + 12,000
Preferred Dividends = $24,000
Ordinary shareholders get what is left:
= 25,000 - 24,000
= $1,000