Martinez Inc. issued $$15,500,000$ of $12\%,40-$year convertible bonds on November $1,2025,$ at $97$ plus accrued interest. The bonds were dated July $1,2025,$ with interest payable January $1$ and July $1.$ Bond discount $($premium$)$ is amortized semiannually on a straightline basis.

On July $1,2026,$ one$-$half of these bonds were converted into $58,000$ shares of $$1$ par value common stock. Accrued interest was paid in cash at the time of conversion.

$($a$)$ Prepare the entry to record the interest expense at December $31,2025.$ Assume that accrued interest payable was credited when the bonds were issued. Credit Interest Payable for the full amount due; debit Interest Payable for the amount recognized at insurance. $($Round to nearest dollar.$)$

$($b$)$ Prepare the entry to record the conversion on July $1,2026.($Book value method is used.$)$ Assume that the entry to record amortization of the bond discount and interest payment has been made.

$($Credit account titles are automatically indented when amount is entered. Do not indent manually. If no entry is required, select $"$No Entry" for the account titles and enter $0$ for the amounts. Round answers to $0$ decimal place, e$.$g$.5,125.$ List all debit entries before credit entries.$)$