Q. Show the relationship between equity and debt?

Gearing is the relationship between equity and debt.  Debt is generally long term liabilities that the organisation has.  Equity is all the share capital and reserves.  There are 2 ways that the gearing ratio can be calculated they are:

-  Equity gearing = debt capital vs. equity capital

-  Total gearing = debt capital vs. total capital

Equity gearing ratio    = (Debt capital/ Equity)x 100%

Total gearing ratio    = (Debt capital/Total capital) x 100%

Gearing is one of the most widely used terms in accounting.  Gearing is the relationship between equity and debt, i.e. how much of total capital is in the form of equity and debt. Gearing is relevant to the long-term financial stability of a business.