Ms. Cents is buying a 25% interest in an accounting partnership by end-of-month payments of $537.66, including interest at 8% compounded semiannually, for 12 years. 

a)What valuation was placed on the partnership at the beginning of the payments? (Round to the nearest $100,000) 

b)What total amount of interest will she pay over the 12 years? (Round to the nearest dollar)