Which of the following best describes 'working capital'?

Working capital is best understood as the difference between current assets and current liabilities. This measure is crucial in assessing a company's short-term financial health and operational efficiency. Current assets typically include cash, accounts receivable, and inventory—assets that are expected to be converted to cash within a year. Current liabilities, on the other hand, are obligations that a company needs to settle within the same time frame, such as accounts payable and short-term debt.

By calculating working capital (current assets minus current liabilities), businesses can determine their ability to meet short-term obligations and manage day-to-day operations effectively. A positive working capital indicates that a company can cover its short-term liabilities, while a negative figure may signal liquidity issues, highlighting potential financial difficulties that could arise if the company cannot meet its obligations as they come due.

The other choices do not correctly define working capital. For instance, total assets minus total liabilities reflects the net worth or equity of a company, which is different from the operational liquidity that working capital indicates. Similarly, net income divided by total equity derives the return on equity ratio, measuring profitability instead of liquidity. Lastly, adding current liabilities to current assets does not yield any meaningful financial metric related to liquidity or operational efficiency. By understanding the components and calculations of