A loan of $$23,250\mathrm{.}00$ at $5\mathrm{.}50\%$ compounded semi$-$annually is to be repaid with payments at the end of every $6$ months. The loan was settled in $4$ years.

a$.$ Calculate the size of the periodic payment.

$$2,951\mathrm{.}38$

$$3,670\mathrm{.}34$

$$3,277\mathrm{.}27$

$$3,696\mathrm{.}69$

b$.$ Calculate the total interest paid.

$$2,968\mathrm{.}16$

$$26,218\mathrm{.}16$

$-$$$309\mathrm{.}11$

$$6,245\mathrm{.}43$