A loan of $$34,300\mathrm{.}00$ at $6\mathrm{.}50\%$ compounded semi$-$annually is to be repaid with payments at the end of every $6$ months. The loan was settled in $6$ years.

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

$$3,277\mathrm{.}00$

$$4,204\mathrm{.}09$

$$3,497\mathrm{.}47$

$$3,758\mathrm{.}57$

b$.$ Calculate the total interest paid.

$$7,669\mathrm{.}64$

$$41,969\mathrm{.}64$

$$4,172\mathrm{.}17$

$$11,167\mathrm{.}11$