An analysis of changes in selected balance sheet accounts of Hierarchy Corporation shows the following for the current year: Plant and Equipment accounts: Debit entries to asset accounts $ 504,000 Credit entries to asset accounts $ 768,000 Debit entries to accumulated depreciation accounts (resulting from sale of plant assets) $ 72,000 Credit entries to accumulated depreciation accounts (representing depreciation for the current year) $ 192,000 Hierarchy's income statement for the current year includes a $9,600 gain on disposal of plant assets. All payments and proceeds relating to purchase or sale of plant assets were in cash. The amount of cash paid by Hierarchy to acquire plant assets during the current year was: Select one: a. $252,000. b. $504,000. c. $724,000. d. $768,000.