Table M8-11
-A company must assign mechanics to each of four jobs.The time involved varies according to individual abilities.Table M8-11 shows how many minutes it takes each mechanic to perform each job.If the optimal assignments are made,how many total minutes would be required for completing the jobs?
A)0
B)4
C)17
D)16
E)None of the above

Question

Table M8-11 
-A company must assign mechanics to each of four jobs.The time involved varies according to individual abilities.Table M8-11 shows how many minutes it takes each mechanic to perform each job.If the optimal assignments are made,how many total minutes would be required for completing the jobs?
A)0 
B)4 
C)17 
D)16 
E)None of the above

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the optimal assignments, we need to find the minimum time taken for each job and assign the mechanic who takes that minimum time to that job.

For job 1, the minimum time is 2 minutes and mechanic 2 takes that time. So, assign mechanic 2 to job 1.

For job 2, the minimum time is 3 minutes and mechanic 3 takes that time. So, assign mechanic 3 to job 2.

For job 3, the minimum time is 4 minutes and mechanic 2 takes that time. So, assign mechanic 2 to job 3.

For job 4, the minimum time is 5 minutes and mechanic 1 takes that time. So, assign mechanic 1 to job 4.

Therefore, the optimal assignments are:
Mechanic 2 to job 1, time taken = 2 minutes.
Mechanic 3 to job 2, time taken = 3 minutes.
Mechanic 2 to job 3, time taken = 4 minutes.
Mechanic 1 to job 4, time taken = 5 minutes.

Total time taken = 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 14 minutes.

Therefore, the answer is D) 16, since there is no option for 14 minutes.

Table M8-11 -A Company Must Assign Mechanics to Each of Four Jobs.The