Berry Company reported the following on the company's income statement in 2016 and 2015:

________________________________________2016.....................2015

Interest expense........................................$ 320,000...............$ 300,000

Income before income tax expense.............3,200,000...............3,600,000

a. Determine the number of times interest charges are earned for 2016 and 2015. Round to one decimal place.

b. Is the number of times interest charges are earned improving or declining?