Selected Data Taken from the Accounting Records of Laser Inc

Essay

Selected data taken from the accounting records of Laser Inc. for the current year ended December 31 are as follows:? $$\begin{array} { | l | r | r | } \hline & \begin{array} { c } \text { Balance, } \\\text { December } 31\end{array} & \begin{array} { c } \text { Balance, } \\\text { January } 1\end{array} \\\hline \text { Accrued expenses payable } & \$ 5,590 & \$ 6,110 \\\hline \text { Accounts payable (merchandise creditors) } & 41,730 & 46,020 \\\hline \text { Inventories } & 77,350 & 84,110 \\\hline \text { Prepaid expenses } & 3,250 & 3,900 \\\hline\end{array}$$ During the current year, the cost of merchandise sold was $448,500, and the operating expenses other than depreciation were $78,000. The direct method is used for presenting the cash flows from operating activities on the statement of cash flows.
?Required
Determine the amount reported on the statement of cash flows for:
(a) Cash payments for merchandise
(b) Cash payments for operating expenses