John Savage has obtained a short-term loan from First Carolina Bank. The loan matures in 180 days and is in the amount $40,000. John needs the money to cover start-up costs in a new business. He hopes to have the sufficient banking from other investors by the variable-rate loan at 1.7% above prime. Currently, the prime rate of interest is 6.6%, and the consumer interest rate forecast of a group of economist is as follows: 60 days from today the prime rate will rise by 0.3%: 90 days from today the prime rate will rise another 1.3%: 180 days from today the prime rate will drop by 0.6%. Using the forecast prime rate changes, answer the following questions. Assume a 365-day year. a. Calculate the total interest cost over 180 days for a fixed-rate loan. b. Calculate the total interest cost over 180 days for a variable-rate loan. c. Which is the lower-interest-cost loan for the next 180 days? a. If the fixed-rate loan costs 2.7% above the prime rate, the interest cost for the fixed-rate loan over 180 days is $. (Round to the nearest cent.)