How is the gross profit margin calculated?

The correct calculation of the gross profit margin involves taking the gross profit and dividing it by revenue, then multiplying the result by 100 to express it as a percentage. Gross profit represents the difference between sales revenue and the cost of goods sold (COGS). This margin measures how efficiently a company is producing its goods relative to its sales, providing insight into production performance and pricing strategy.

The focus on gross profit—rather than operating profit or net income—ensures that only the direct costs of goods sold are considered, which is essential for understanding a company's core profitability from its products or services before accounting for operating expenses, taxes, and other costs. This distinction is crucial, as gross profit margin offers a clear picture of the financial viability of a company's manufacturing or service delivery processes.

In contrast, the other options involve different financial metrics that do not reflect the specific calculation necessary for determining gross profit margin. For instance, operating profit relates to the overall profitability after expenses, net income reflects the bottom line, and total assets or liabilities pertain to balance sheet metrics rather than profitability ratios. Thus, focusing exclusively on the ratio of gross profit to revenue highlights the specific performance regarding direct production costs, validating option B as the correct choice.