A jewelry company created a set of unique etchings in gems that are reminiscent of the different signs of the zodiac. What kind of patent should this company obtain for this product? The jewelry company can obtain a patent for its new etchings.

The answer is : $104,000                  

Explanation:

First, we have to lay out the particulars, and explain what each of them mean:

debit balance in account receivable = $32,000. This refers to an amount that cusomers owed the company at the beginning of the period.

revenue recorded = $88,000. This refers to the total sales made by the company.

At the end of the period, we are told that the account receivable contained a balance of $16,000

Therefore it means that after all the payments (both balance from previous period and sales transactions) have been made in cash, the amount which the customers owed the company = $16,000.

Hence the cash collected is calculated as follows

(debit balance at beginning + revenue) - debit balance at the end = cash collected

(32,000 + 88,000) - 16,000 = cash collected

120,000 - 16,000 = cash collected

cash collected = $104,000