Some Important Notes on these Suggested Exercises:

1. This is set up such that the Review Exercise is always suggested, followed by two of the end of chapter cases. Generally the first one is an apply what you learned" case; while the second is more "challenging" and/or "creative."
   
2. There may be some ambiguity in the latter or last question. This is deliberate. The reason is that the real world can be ambiguous and this problem part is designed to test your ability to stretch beyond the 'standard' material in the text. There may be several ways to interpret the problem and sometimes you will have to develop reasonable assumptions to complete this part. Ambiguity in the real world is normal - get ready for it here.
3. These are not assigned to be turned in, but rather should be done to help in learning the material.
   
4. In the past, I have required these to be turned in. I have modified my classroom approach in that my expectation is that everyone in a class will be doing the homework and getting it done perfectly right, so it does not really impact anyone's grades. (Sometimes one or two students won't do them, and it does have a negative impact). That is why these are 'suggested' exercises.
5. It is to your benefit to do the tutorial (chapter) first; then do these exercises in a timely manner (i.e., as we cover the material in class; not right before we have an exam.
6. We can discuss these in class as we go. If we don't, just ask.
   

Any course files to be submitted for grading must be uploaded to the ELC site in the Assignments area (tentative instructions below).

File Naming Conventions (this will be described in whatever exam Excel file you are to submit):
(Note - please put your name inside the worksheet, somewhere near the top left of the first sheet with major work in it):

LastFirstExamXY.xls

   Where
       Last = Lastname
       First = Firstname, and
       X = The Exam Problem Number
       Y = The Second Problem Number Letter (A or B, etc.), if there is one.

So, Joe Gorganzola’s solution to Exam Problem 2, Part B is initially named GorganzolaJoeExam2B.xls.

• Go to Assignments> 
• Choose the appropriate assignment (exam) by clicking on the View/Complete Assignment text.
• Upload your file by browsing to it, and select it.
• You may need to add a comment in the comment field (any text works).
• Repeat for the other files that you need to upload.
  
• Do make sure that you submit ALL required files for each exam together, each time. If you have to submit more than one, it is easier for us if you submit all of them into the same Assignment Folder at the same time.
• Note that the actual scoring of each assignment in the Gradebook might NOT be in the column associated with its given assignment for submission.
• DO NOT USE THE DIGITAL DROPBOX!
  

Tutorial 10. Try this as well:
Assignment Purpose: To further illustrate the concepts in Tutorial 10 (Solver [i.e., linear programming and modeling]).

The BullDawg PC Manufacturing Company makes two PC models in their small factory in Athens, a Home model, and a Professional model.
Net Unit Profits for the Home and Professional PCs are $350 and $450 respectively.
There are three basic departments (resources) that each PC requires before it goes to the customer. They are Assembly, Testing, and PackagingAndShipping [one department]. The respective number of hours (per week) for each resource is 600, 500, 600.
Each PC 'consumes' these resources as follows:

Of course, you cannot manufacture a negative PC.

1. Create and Excel worksheet to determine an optimal number of each PC model to manufacture each week. Save and submit your worksheet with a -Step01 designation after you have answered the following. Put your answers in the worksheet:

a. Try different values of the decision variables and indicate your best found solution using trial values.
b. Should we run Solver assuming a Linear Model? Why or why not?
c. Should we run Solver, assuming Nonnegative variables? Why or why not?
d. Do we need to restrict the decision variables to be integer? Why or why not?

2. Set up this problem and Solve it using Solver. Make sure you save the three answer worksheets. Precede the name on the Tab of each with 'Part 2 '.
In addition, determine what the effect on the profit would be if you must make at least 15 Professional PCs. Do not solve it again with solver. Instead use the sensitivity data to answer this. Put this answer at the bottom of your work in the main sheet. Save and submit your worksheet with a -Step02 designation.

3. Suppose BullDawg finally noticed that 10% of each model fails in the Testing operation, and must be Debugged. Ultimately every PC that failed does get through this Debug resource (hint, hint), but it does take time. 60 hours per week are available; the Home PC requires (on average) 4 hours, while the Professional PC requires (on average) 6 hours as:

Update your set up for Solver in Part 2 to include this new aspect. (Hint: there is an easy way, and a less than easy way. Think about it before you implement.) Can the existing solution work (i.e., is it  feasible ?)?  (Hint - it shouldn't work!) Solve the new problem in Solver and explain what happened. Make sure you save the three answer worksheets. Precede the name on the Tab of each with 'Part 3 '. Save and submit your worksheet with a -Step03 designation.

Review Exercise
Case Problem 1
Case Problem 4

Page maintained by JE Aronson
Last Modified: August 15, 2009