For the problem below, what is the quantity assigned to the cell Source 3-Destination 1 using the intuitive method for an initial feasible solution?
$$\begin{array} { | l | r | r | r | r | }
\hline \text { COSTS } & \text { Dest. 1 } & \text { Dest. 2 } & \text { Dest. 3 } & \text { Supply } \
\hline \text { Source 1 } & 2 & 1 & 3 & 50 \
\hline \text { Source 2 } & 4 & 7 & 5 & 40 \
\hline \text { Source 3 } & 3 & 12 & 6 & 30 \
\hline \text { Demand } & 50 & 45 & 25 & 120 \backslash 120 \
\hline
\end{array}$$
A) 3
B) 13.333
C) 30
D) 45
E) 50

Question

For the problem below, what is the quantity assigned to the cell Source 3-Destination 1 using the intuitive method for an initial feasible solution?
$$\begin{array} { | l | r | r | r | r | } 
\hline \text { COSTS } & \text { Dest. 1 } & \text { Dest. 2 } & \text { Dest. 3 } & \text { Supply } \
\hline \text { Source 1 } & 2 & 1 & 3 & 50 \
\hline \text { Source 2 } & 4 & 7 & 5 & 40 \
\hline \text { Source 3 } & 3 & 12 & 6 & 30 \
\hline \text { Demand } & 50 & 45 & 25 & 120 \backslash 120 \
\hline
\end{array}$$
A) 3
B) 13.333
C) 30
D) 45
E) 50

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The intuitive method for finding an initial feasible solution in transportation problems involves allocating supplies to demands starting from the lowest cost, moving to higher costs, until all supplies or demands are met. In this problem, allocations would start from the lowest costs available, which are not directly provided for Source 3-Destination 1. However, by the time we consider Source 3, the demands for Destinations 1 and 2 might have been partially or fully met by Sources 1 and 2 due to their lower costs to these destinations. The question specifically asks for the allocation to Source 3-Destination 1, which, following the intuitive method, would be determined by the remaining supply of Source 3 and the remaining demand of Destination 1 after allocations from Sources 1 and 2. Given the data, it's not about the cost but the remaining supply for Source 3, which is 30, indicating that all of Source 3's supply could potentially be allocated to Destination 1 if needed and if Destination 1's demand has not been fully met yet. The correct answer does not depend on the specific costs but on understanding the process of allocation, which in this case suggests that Source 3 could supply up to its full amount to Destination 1 if no other constraints were mentioned.

For the Problem Below, What Is the Quantity Assigned to the Cell