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.
$\begin{array}{llr}\text { End of Period }&\text { Present Value of } \$ 1&\text { Present Value of an Annuity of } \$ 1\\1 & .877 & .877 \\2 & .769 & 1.646 \\3 & .675 & 2.321 \\4 & .592 & 2.913 \\5 & .519 & 3.432 \\6 & .456 & 3.888\end{array}$
a. Compute the present value of the following cash flows. Use a discount rate of 14 percent.
$\begin{array}{lr}\text { Year 1 } & \$ 50,000 \\\text { Year 2 } & 60,000 \\\text { Year 3 } & 40,000 \\\text { Year 4 } & 50,000 \\\text { Year 5 } & 40,000\end{array}$
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.