If bonds are sold at a discount and the straight-line method of amortization is used, interest expense in the earlier years will O be less than the stated (nominal) rate of interest. O be the same as what it would have been had the effective-interest method of amortization been used. O be less than what it would have been had the effective interest method of amortization been used. O exceed what it would have been had the effective-interest method of amortization been used.