Selected income statement data follow for Harper Inc., for the year ended December $31($in thousands$).$

What is the company$$s times interest earned ratio?

Income before provisionInterestStatutoryProvision forNetfor income taxesexpensetax rateincome taxesincome$$1,003,433$$$29,6700\mathrm{.}37$$$325,112$$$678,321$

Select one:

a$.$

$11\mathrm{.}0$

b$.$

$34\mathrm{.}8$

c$.$

$23\mathrm{.}9$

d$.$

None of these are correct.

e$.$

$33\mathrm{.}8$