Final answer:
When a bond is issued at a premium, it means that the contractual interest rate exceeds the market interest rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a bond is issued at a premium, it means that the bond is sold at a price higher than its face value or maturity value. In this case, Karson Inc. is issuing 10-year bonds with a maturity value of $200,000, but they are selling them at a premium. This indicates that the contractual interest rate is higher than the market interest rate.