Which equation correctly represents working capital?

Working capital is a key financial metric that reflects the short-term liquidity position of a company. The correct representation of working capital is given by the equation that indicates the relationship between current assets and current liabilities. Specifically, working capital is calculated by taking current assets and subtracting current liabilities.

The accurate representation for working capital is thus current assets minus current liabilities. This approach allows businesses to assess how well they can cover their short-term obligations using their short-term assets.

The rationale for choosing current assets minus current liabilities is that it provides a clear view of the available funds after accounting for obligations that need to be settled in the short term. If the result is positive, it indicates that the business has sufficient resources to continue its operations and invest in its growth.

In the context of the other options presented, ‘non-cash current assets - non-debt current liabilities’ does not equate to the standard definition of working capital. Non-cash current assets would exclude cash resources that are readily available for covering liabilities, which skews the assessment of liquidity. Similarly, equations that combine current assets with liabilities or create unusual relationships are not recognized definitions and do not provide meaningful insights into a firm's financial health through the commonly accepted formula for working capital.