A 20-ounce candle is expected to burn for 60 hours. A 12-ounce candle is expected to burn for 36 hours. Assuming the variables are directly related, how many hours would a 9-ounce candle be expected to burn?

For a direct relationship, the burn time per ounce stays constant. Both candles burn 3 hours per ounce: 60 ÷ 20 = 3 and 36 ÷ 12 = 3. So a 9-ounce candle would burn 9 × 3 = 27 hours, which is choice B, 27 hours.

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