Antonio, Inc., has invested in new production equipment at a cost of $24,000. The equipment has an estimated useful life of eight years. The estimated annual sales and operating expense related to the equipment are as follows:

Annual sales

$44,000

Labor costs.

(36,000)

Depreciation of equipment

(3,000)

Operating income

$ 5,000

Income taxes (40%).

(2,000)

Net income

$ 3,000

The payback period of the investment in equipment is approximately

a. 3.0 years.

b. 4.0 years.

c. 4.8 years.

d. 8.0 years.