A firm has a debt-equity ratio of 0.35, a return on assets of 14.2 percent, and a dividend payout ratio of 20 percent. What is the firm's rate of growth?

(a) Explain the significance of the debt-equity ratio in assessing the financial structure of a firm.
(b) Discuss the concept of return on assets (ROA) and its implications for evaluating the firm's profitability.
(c) Define the dividend payout ratio and its role in determining the portion of earnings distributed as dividends.
(d) Describe the formula or approach used to calculate the rate of growth and its relationship to the given financial ratios.