Answer:
C) The net change in the investment account for each full year will be a debit of $800.
Explanation:
Sillabog distributes every year $8,000 (= $20,000 x 40%) as dividends to its shareholders, that leaves $12,000 as retained earnings.
Pyming owns 40% of Sillabog, it is entitled to 40% of the retained earnings = $12,000 x 40% = $4,800.
Pyming paid an additional $40,000 for a patent that has a 10 year useful life, if we apply the straight amortization method, each year Pyming should amortize $4,000 (= $40,000 x 10%) for the patent.
Since Pyming is entitled to $4,800 of Sillabog's retained earnings per year and amortizes $4,000 for the patent it purchased, its investment increases by $800 every year (= $4,800 - $4,000).
Pyming´s investment account is an asset, and since the investment increases, the account should be debited.