Please refer to this notice:
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/financ...ard-25444.html
You are not going to understand this if we simply give you the answers. We will work with you to understand the question, but you need to attempt it so we can see where you are not understanding. Let me get you started.
The first thing to understand is that Preferred Stock shareholders will receive dividends declared before Common Stock shareholders. Preferred Stock dividends are paid at a fixed rate. You question states that there are 10,000 shares of 4%, $75 par preferred shares. This tells you that there is $750,000 in preferred stock (10,000*75). The dividend rate will be 4% of $750,000, or $30,000. In any year, the Preferred Shareholders will be paid first, up to the amount declared. Dividends in arrears refers to the amount that is owed to preferred shareholders for years where the expected amount ($30,000) could not be paid. Common Stock shareholders will only receive dividends if there is money left over after satisfying the amount owed to Preferred shareholders for the current year and any years in arrears. You can compute the amount per share by dividing the dividend by the number of shares.
Just take this step by step. In year 2003, compute the amount due Preferred. Compare it to the amount declared. The company will only issue the amount declared, but if this amount is greater than the amount due the preferred and there are no arrears, the common share stockholders will share in that amount. Do what you can, and if you need help ask again. Thanks.