Answer:
b. it is appropriate to borrow if the return on the assets is greater than the cost of the financing.
Explanation:
A leverage can be defined as a process which typically involves the use of fixed-charged assets or items in a business with the intention of multiplying potential financial gains and returns.
In Financial accounting, the concept of leverage is that it is appropriate for a business firm to borrow an amount of money (debt), if the return on the assets (capital gain or income) is greater than the cost of the financing (debt or borrowed money).
Basically, financial leverage which is also known as trading on equity, is the utilization of debt (borrowed money) to acquire or purchase new assets with the intent and expectation that the income generated from these assets would exceed the cost incurred from borrowing. Thus, a business that engages in financial leveraging assumes that it would generate a higher income or capital gain from the amount of debt (borrowed money) used in its capital structure.