Harte$$ Textiles, Inc., a maker of custom upholstery$$ fabrics, is concerned about preserving the wealth of its stockholders during a cyclic downturn in the home furnishings business. The company has maintained a constant dividend payout of $$$$4\mathrm{.}00$ tied to a target payout ratio of $50\%.$ Management is preparing a share repurchase recommendation to present to the$$ firm's board of directors.$$

The following data have been gathered from the last two$$ years: LOADING....

a$.$How many shares should the company have outstanding in $2022$ if its earnings available for common stockholders in that year are $$$$1$ comma $900$ comma $000$ and it pays a dividend of $$$$4\mathrm{.}00,$ given that its desired payout ratio is $50\%?$

b$.$How many shares would Harte have to repurchase to have the level of shares outstanding calculated in part a$?$