The following exchange rates are quoted simultaneously in Johannesburg, Frankfurt, Singapore and Paris:

Johannesburg: USD/ZAR 18.8300

Frankfurt: GBP/USD 1.2550

Singapore: ZAR/SGD 0.0725

Paris: SGD/USD 0.7255

Which is us ed as the base currency and will the base currency make any differences?

a- Calculate in detail all the possible cross rates in the above and then indicate if there is a possibility for three-point arbitrage.

b-Suppose Jay have R1 million to perform an arbitrage trade. Also, suppose the transaction cost for executing all the arbitrage trades is R1550. If the transaction costs are included, is there still a profitable arbitrage sequence available? Prove the answer by calculating the profit (or loss) earned from arbitrage if Jay has ZAR 1 million to use.