John makes a monthly mortgage payment of $1940 at the end of every month. On October 31, his loan balance was $145,000 after making a payment of $1940. His financial institute allows him to make one additional payment equal to or less than his monthly payment, once a month. Taking advantage of that, John made a payment of $1500 on November 15. What is his month-end balance after making his monthly payment on November 30 if the interest rate is 3.7% compounded semiannually?

Banana computers has decided to procure processing chips required for its laptops from external suppliers instead of manufacturing them in their own facilities. how will this decision affect the firm? a. the firm will be protected against the principal-agent problem. b. the firm's administrative costs will be low because of necessary bureaucracy. c. the firm will have more flexibility in purchasing and comparing prices of goods and services. d. the firm will have high-powered incentives, such as hourly wages and salaries.