A bank in Calgary issued bonds for $$850,000$ that were redeemable in $9$ years. It established a sinking fund that was earning $4\%$ compounded semi$-$annually to retire this debt on maturity and made equal deposits at the beginning of every six months.

a$.$ What is the size of the periodic payments?

Round your answer up to the next cent

b$.$ Construct a partial sinking fund schedule, showing the details for the first two and last two payments, and the totals of the schedule.

For answers: Round to the nearest cent

Payment Period

Payment

Interest Earned

Increase in the Fund

Fund Balance

Book Value

$0$

$$0\mathrm{.}00$

$$850,000\mathrm{.}00$

$1$

$2$

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$\_$

Total