What is meant by centralised direction

At the end of year 2, retained earnings for the baker company was $3,550. revenue earned by the company in year 2 was $3,800, expenses paid during the period were $2,000, and dividends paid during the period were $1,400. based on this information alone, retained earnings at the beginning of year 2 was:

Aborrower takes out a 30-year adjustable rate mortgage loan for $200,000 with monthly payments. the first two years of the loan have a "teaser" rate of 4%, after that, the rate can reset with a 5% annual payment cap. on the reset date, the composite rate is 6%. what would the year 3 monthly payment be?

Aproperty title search firm is contemplating using online software to increase its search productivity. currently an average of 40 minutes is needed to do a title search. the researcher cost is $2 per minute. clients are charged a fee of $400. company a's software would reduce the average search time by 10 minutes, at a cost of $3.50 per search. company b's software would reduce the average search time by 12 minutes at a cost of $3.60 per search. which option would have the higher productivity in terms of revenue per dollar of input?