A print shop has four jobs that have to be processed through their only five-color press. They usually use the first come, first served (FCFS) rule of scheduling jobs. However, the customers are waiting in the lobby for these jobs so the shop wants to minimize the average waiting time. They are going to use the shortest processing time rule to do so. Processing times for each job are as follows (assume this is the arrival order): Job A, 30 minutes; Job B, 17 minutes; Job C, 12 minutes; and Job D, 39 minutes.
-Using the shortest processing time (SPT) rule to sequence these jobs, the final sequence is_____, if A is the first person to arrive and D is the last.
A) A, B, C, D
B) C, B, A, D
C) C, D, B, A
D) A, B, D, C

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The shortest processing time rule (SPT) prioritizes jobs with the shortest processing time first. Therefore, the sequence would be:
C (12 minutes) -> B (17 minutes) -> A (30 minutes) -> D (39 minutes)
This sequence minimizes the average waiting time for the customers as the shorter jobs are completed first, which allows those customers to leave earlier, reducing their waiting time.

A Print Shop Has Four Jobs That Have to Be