A company's Inventory balance at the end of the year was $204,200 and $218,000 at the beginning of the year. Its Accounts Payable balance at the end of the year was $102,000 and $96,200 at the beginning of the year, and its cost of goods sold for the year was $738,000. The company's total amount of cash payments for merchandise during the year equals:

a $738,000.
b $746,000.
c $757,600.
d $718,400.