Slipshod Machine Tool Co. owes $40,000 to one of its suppliers. The supplier has offered a trade discount of 2/10 net 30. Slipshod can borrow the funds from either of two banks: First City Bank will loan the funds for 20 days at a cost of $400; Upstart Bank offers a discounted loan for 20 days at a cost of $320.
a) What is the cost of failing to take the discount?
b) What is the effective interest rate on each of the loans?
c) Which alternative should Slipshod follow?