A clock takes 16 seconds to strike 9 times. How many seconds will it take to strike 3 times at the same rate?

Correct answer: Option B — 4 seconds. 9 strikes contain 8 intervals, so one interval lasts 16/(8) = 2 seconds. 3 strikes contain 2 intervals, taking 4 seconds. Option A (5 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 (3 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 (6 seconds) is rejected because it does not equal the computed result; it represents a counting, direction, leap-year, interval, or hand-motion error.