Answer: 3.50 years
Step-by-step explanation:
The Payback period is a method of checking the viability of a project. It measures how long it will take a project to pay back it's initial investment.
Formula is;
= Year before payback + Cash remaining till payback/ Cash inflow in year of payback
Year 1 Net Cash Inflow
= Cash Inflow - Cash Outflow
= 30,000 - 12,000
= $18,000
Year 2
= 45,000 - 20,000
= $25,000
Year 3
= 60,000 - 25,000
= $35,000
Year 4
= 50,000 - 30,000
= $20,000
Year 1 + 2 + 3
= 18,000 + 25,000 + 35,000
= $78,000
Amount remaining till payback
= Investment - Cash inflow so far
= 88,000 - 78,000
= $10,000
= Year before payback + Cash remaining till payback/ Cash inflow in year of payback
= 3 + 10,000/20,000
= 3.50 years