The Following Data Have Been Gathered for a Capital Investment

The following data have been gathered for a capital investment decision.The amounts relate to a 14 percent discount factor.
$\begin{array}{lll}&\text { Present Value of } \$ 1& \text { Present Value of an }\\ \text { End of Period}&& \text { Annuity of \( \$ 1 \)}\\1 & .877 & .877 \\2 & .769 & 1.646 \\3 & .675 & 2.321 \\4 & .592 & 2.913 \\5 & .519 & 3.432 \\6 & .456 & 3.888\end{array}$
a. Compute the present value of the following cash flows. Use a discount rate of 14 percent.
$$\begin{array} { | l r | } \hline \text { Year 1 } & \$ 40,000 \\\text { Year 2 } & 60,000 \\\text { Year 3 } & 50,000 \\\text { Year 4 } & 50,000 \\\text { Year 5 } & 40,000 \\\hline\end{array}$$

b. What would have been the present value of the cash flows if they were received in equal installments over the five-year period at the same discount rate?
c. If the answers to parts (a) and (b) differ, explain the reason(s) why.