3M Company reported the following financial data for 2009 and 2008 (in millions).

3M COMPANY

Balance Sheet (partial)

Current assets

2009

2008

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 3,040

$1,849

$1,849

Accounts receivable, net

3,250

3,195

3,195

Inventories

2,639

3,013

3,013

Other current assets

1,866

1,541

1,541

Total current assets

$10,795

$9,598

$9,598

Current liabilities

$ 4,897

$5,839

$5,839

Instructions

(a) Calculate the current ratio for 3M for 2009 and 2008.

(b) Suppose that at the end of 2009, 3M management used $300 million cash to pay off $300 million of accounts payable. How would its current ratio change?