Concept:A prospectus is a formal public document that invites the general public to subscribe to the shares or securities of a company.
Explanation:When a company wants to raise capital from the public, it issues a prospectus.
This document contains essential details such as the company's business activities, financial statements, names of directors, and the purpose of the issue.
It serves as an invitation to potential investors to apply for shares.
The memorandum of association and articles of association are internal documents that define the company's structure and rules, so they are not used as public invitations.
A quotation refers to the official listing price of shares on a stock exchange, which is different from an invitation to subscribe.
Thus, the document that extends an invitation to the public to subscribe to shares is the prospectus.
Answer:C. prospectus