A Product Design Team Is Preparing to Build a New

question 76

Essay

A product design team is preparing to build a new doohickey. A doohickey consists of one A module, one B module, and one C module. There are different versions of these modules available in the company's design library. For example, there are two choices for A: A1 is .99 reliable, while A2 is .975 reliable. The table below details the choices available, along with the cost of each choice.
$$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | } \hline \text { Module variation } & \text { Reliability } & \text { Cost, each } \\\hline \text { A1 } & .99 & \$ 17 \\\hline \text { A2 } & 975 & \$ 10 \\\hline \text { B1 } & 995 & \$ 4 \\\hline \text { B2 } & 992 & \$ 3 \\\hline \text { C1 } & 98 & \$ 2 \\\hline \text { C2 } & 90 & \$ 0.50 \\\hline \text { C3 } & 60 & \$ 0.25 \\\hline\end{array}$$ Help the design team by selecting the least costly version of a doohickey that has system reliability of at least .96. Draw a schematic of your finished design.

---

Definitions:

U.S. Economy

The economic system of the United States, characterized by a mixed economy with a high level of output, innovation, and diversity of goods and services.

Mixed Economy

An economic system blending elements of market capitalism with some form of government intervention and public enterprise.

Barter Economy

An economic system where goods and services are exchanged directly for other goods and services without using money.

Command Economy

An economic system where the government or central authority makes all decisions related to the production and distribution of goods and services.