A loan of $$24,800\mathrm{.}00$ at $5\mathrm{.}00\%$ compounded semi$-$annually is to be repaid with payments at the end of every $6$ months. The loan was settled in $5$ years.

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

$$2,606\mathrm{.}63$

$$3,211\mathrm{.}71$

$$2,833\mathrm{.}62$

$$3,111\mathrm{.}33$

b$.$ Calculate the total interest paid.

$$3,536\mathrm{.}20$

$$28,336\mathrm{.}20$

$$702\mathrm{.}58$

$$6,369\mathrm{.}82$