$$299 + 297 + 295 + 296 + 298$$ = $300 - 1 + 300 - 3 + 300 - 5 + 300 - 4 + 500 - 2$~ = $1485$~ 
What is the value of the following sum?  $$299 + 297 + 295 + 296 + 298$$ 

a) 1494 
b) 1490 
c) 1485 
d) 1484 
e) None of the above 