If bonds are initially sold at a discount and the straight-line method of amortization is used, interest expense in the earlier years will

be less than what it would have been had the effective-interest method of amortization been used.

exceed what it would have been had the effective-interest method of amortization been used.

be the same as what it would have been had the effective-interest method of amortization been used.

be less than the stated (nominal) rate of interest.