On January 1, 2020, Mehan, Incorporated purchased 15,000 shares of Cook Company for $150,000 giving Mehan a 15% ownership of Cook. The fair value of the 15% investment was the same as the carrying value of the investment when, on January 1, 2021, Mehan purchased an additional 25,000 shares (25%) of Cook for $300,000. This last purchase gave Mehan the ability to apply significant influence over Cook. The book value of Cook on January 1, 2020 was $1,000,000. The book value of Cook on January 1, 2021, was $1,100,000. Any excess of cost over book value for this second transaction is assigned to a database and amortized over four years.

Cook reports net income and dividends as follows. These amounts are assumed to have occurred evenly throughout the years:

	Net Income		Dividends
2020	$	200,000			$	50,000
2021		225,000				50,000
2022		250,000				60,000

On April 1, 2022, just after its first dividend receipt, Mehan sells 10,000 shares of its investment.

What is the balance in the investment account for the 15% ownership interest, at January 1, 2021?

a.

$157,500.

b.

$172,500.

c.

$170,000.

d.

$150,000.

e.

$180,000.