Annuity due.$$Reginald is about to lease an apartment for $18$ months. The landlord wants him to make the lease payments at the start of the month. The monthly payments are $$$$1$ comma $600$ per month. The landlord says he will allow Reg to prepay the rent for the entire lease with a discount. The$$ one$-$time payment due at the beginning of the lease is $$$$26$ comma $717.$ What is the implied monthly discount rate for the$$ rent? If Reg is earning $1\mathrm{.}4\%$ on his savings$$ monthly, should he pay by month or make the$$ one$-$time payment?

Question content area bottom

Part $1$

What is the implied monthly discount rate for the$$ rent?