Claris Corporation (a multi-product company) produces and sells 7,000 units of Product X each year. Each unit of Product X sells for $12 and has a contribution margin of $4. If Product X is discontinued, $19,000 of the $32,000 in fixed costs charged to Product X could be eliminated. If Product X is discontinued, the company's overall operating income would:

a) Decrease by $4,000 per year.

b) Increase by $4,000 per year.

c) Decrease by $9,000 per year.

d) Increase by $9,000 per year.