A clock takes 35 seconds to strike 8 times. How many seconds will it take to strike 9 times at the same rate?

Correct answer: Option A — 40 seconds. 8 strikes contain 7 intervals, so one interval lasts 35/(7) = 5 seconds. 9 strikes contain 8 intervals, taking 40 seconds. Option B (41 seconds) is rejected because it does not equal the computed result; it represents a counting, direction, leap-year, interval, or hand-motion error. Option C (39 seconds) is rejected because it does not equal the computed result; it represents a counting, direction, leap-year, interval, or hand-motion error. Option D (42 seconds) is rejected because it does not equal the computed result; it represents a counting, direction, leap-year, interval, or hand-motion error.