Scottie wants to accumulate $$30,000$ for a down payment for a house. He can only afford to set aside $ $300$ at the beginning of every half$-$year $.$ The account will credit interest semi$-$annually at the annual rate of $7\mathrm{.}5\%.$ You wish to know how long it will take Scottie to reach his goal. Find m $($the number of compounding periods per year$)$

a$.$

$9$

b$.$

$12$

c$.$

$4$

d$.$

$2$

e$.$

$1$