The "principal-agent problem" often arises in public choice when politicians pursue the best interests of their constituents

Alandowner entered into a written agreement with a real estate broker whereby the broker would receive a commission of 10% of the sale price if he procured a "ready, willing, and able buyer" for the landowner's property and if the sale actually proceeded through closing. the broker found a buyer who agreed in writing to buy the property from the landowner for $100,000, the landowner's asking price. the buyer put up $6,000 as a down payment. the agreement between the landowner and the buyer contained a liquidated damages clause providing that, if the buyer defaulted by failing to tender the balance due of $94,000 at the closing date, damages would be 10% of the purchase price. the landowner included that clause because she was counting on using the proceeds of the sale for a business venture that would likely net her at least $10,000. the buyer became seriously ill and defaulted. when he recovered, he demanded that the landowner return his $6,000, and the landowner refused. the broker also demanded the $6,000 from the landowner and was refused. the broker and the buyer filed separate suits against the landowner, with the buyer pleading impossibility of performance. the two cases are consolidated into a single case. how should the court rule as to the disposition of the $6,000?

Laws corporation is considering the purchase of a machine costing $16,000. estimated cash savings from using the new machine are $4,120 per year. the machine will have no salvage value at the end of its useful life of six years and the required rate of return for laws corporation is 12%. the machine's internal rate of return is closest to (ignore income taxes) (a) 12% (b) 14% (c) 16% (d) 18%

Rachel died in 2014 and her executor is finalizing her estate tax return. the executor has determined that rachel’s adjusted gross estate is $10,120,000 and that her estate is entitled to a charitable deduction in the amount of $500,000. using 2014 rates, calculate the estate tax liability for rachel’s estate.