Barkoff Enterprises, which uses the high$-$low method to analyze cost behavior, has determined that machine hours best explain the company's utilities cost. The company's relevant range of activity varies from a low of $600$ machine hours to a high of $1,100$ machine hours, with the following data being available for the first six months of the year:

Month Utilities Machine Hours

January $ $9,400800$

February $9,060720$

March $9,650810$

April $10,060920$

May $10,486950$

June $9,850900$

Using the high$-$low method, the utilities cost for Barkoff associated with $980$ machine hours would be: