The weighted average number of common shares outstanding is the number of shares outstanding during the year weighted by the portion of the year they were outstanding. Dividends and splits are applied to all shares issued or repurchased and all original or adjusted shares outstanding prior to the split or dividend.

Step 1) Apply the 04/01/04 dividend to the beginning-of-year shares: Adjusted shares = 1.05 × 50,000 = 52,500

Step 2) Apply the 10/01/04 dividend the adjusted beginning-of-year shares. Adjusted beginning of year shares = 57,750 (= 1.1 × 52,500).

Step 3) Compute the weighted average number of shares. 57,750 × (12/12) = 57,750 shares.