Answer:
c. The effective rate is higher.
Explanation:
The stated rate does not take into account compounding within the year, while the effective rate does. If interest is compounded once a year, both rates are the same, but if interest is compounded more than once per year, then the effective rate is higher than the stated rate.
For example, a stated rate of 10% compounded semiannually has an effective rate of:
[tex]E = (1+\frac{0.10}{2})^2 -1\\E=10.25\%[/tex]