What happens to the carrying value of an asset over time?

The carrying value of an asset changes over time primarily due to the application of depreciation. Depreciation is the systematic allocation of the asset's cost over its useful life. As depreciation is recorded, the carrying value—essentially the amount at which the asset is recognized on the balance sheet—decreases.

For instance, consider a piece of equipment purchased for $10,000 with a useful life of 5 years. If straight-line depreciation is applied, the asset's carrying value will reduce each year by the depreciation expense, which in this case would be $2,000 annually. Therefore, after one year, the carrying value would be $8,000, and after two years, it would be $6,000, and so forth, reflecting the wear and tear and usage of the asset over time.

This continual change illustrates the relationship between the asset's useful life, its cost, and how it depreciates. Hence, the correct answer accurately reflects the dynamic nature of an asset's carrying value as depreciation is applied.