Liz$$s Health Food Store has estimated monthly financing requirements for the next six months as follows:

January $$8,000$ April $$8,000$

February $2,000$ May $9,000$

March $3,000$ June $4,000$

Short$-$term financing will be utilized for the next six months. Projected annual interest rates are:

January $8\mathrm{.}0\%$ April $15\mathrm{.}0\%$

February $9\mathrm{.}0\%$ May $12\mathrm{.}0\%$

March $12\mathrm{.}0\%$ June $12\mathrm{.}0\%$

a$.$ Compute total dollar interest payments for the six months. To convert an annual rate to a monthly rate, divide by $12.($Round the final answer to $2$ decimal places. Do not round intermediate calculation.$)$

Total dollar interest payments $

b$-1.$ Compute the total dollar interest payments if financing was constant at $12$ percent throughout the six months.

Total dollar interest payments $

b$-2.$ If long$-$term financing at $12$ percent had been utilized throughout the six months, would the total$-$dollar interest payments be larger or smaller?

multiple choice

Smaller

Larger