A firm is evaluating two mutually exclusive projects that have unequal lives.

A firm is evaluating two mutually exclusive projects that have unequal lives. The firm must evaluate the projects using the annualized net present value approach and recommend which project they should select. The firm's cost of capital has been determined to be 18 percent, and the projects have the following initial investments and cash flows: 

Project W         Project Y

Initial investment:        $40,000                       $58,000

Cash flows:      1          $20,000                       $30,000          

                        2          20,000             35,000

                        3          20,000             40,000

                        4          20,000

                        5          20,000