Anthony secured a lease on a machine by paying $$1,450$ as a down payment and then $$300$ at the beginning of every half$-$year for $6$ years. Assume that the cost of financing is $4\mathrm{.}23\%$ compounded semi$-$annually. a$.$ What was the principal amount of the loan? b$.$ What was the cost of the machine? c$.$ What was the amount of interest paid over the term?