Presented below are two independent situations.

a. George Gershwin Co. sold $2,000,000 of 10%, 10-year bonds at 104 on January 1, 2020. The bonds were dated January 1, 2020, and pay interest on July 1 and January 1. If Gershwin uses the straight-line method to amortize bond premium or discount, determine the amount of interest expense to be reported on July 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020.

b. Ron Kenoly Inc. issued $600,000 of 9%, 10-year bonds on June 30, 2020, for $562,500. This price provided a yield of 10% on the bonds. Interest is payable semiannually on December 31 and June 30. If Kenoly uses the effective-interest method, determine the amount of interest expense to record if financial statements are issued on October 31, 2020.