Dianna Ivy Is Evaluating a Plan to Expand the Product

question 101

Multiple Choice

Dianna Ivy is evaluating a plan to expand the product ion facilities of International Compressors Company which manufactures natural gas compressors.Dianna feels that the price of coal is a significant factor in her decision.Below are her estimates of payoffs from various expansion plans under different prices of coal.If Diana knows the price of coal in the future will be the same as it is today, what expansion plan should she select? $$\begin{array} { | l | c | c | c | } \hline \text { PAYOFFE (\$riil) } & \text { Lower } & \text { \$arre } & \text { Higher } \\\hline \text { Larpe exparisior } & - \$ 500 & - \$ 100 & \$ 1,000 \\\hline \text { Medilrl exparsion } & - \$ 300 & \$ 150 & \$ 800 \\\hline \text { Brrall exparisior } & - \$ 50 & \$ 100 & \$ 400 \\\hline \text { No exparisior } & \$ 0 & \$ 75 & \$ 300 \\\hline\end{array}$$

• A)No expansion
• B)Small expansion
• C)Medium expansion
• D)Cannot determine from information
• E)Large expansion

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Definitions:

Operant Conditioning

A learning process through which the strength and frequency of a behavior are modified by the behavior's consequences, such as reward or punishment.

Fixed-Ratio

A schedule of reinforcement where a response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses have occurred.

Variable-Ratio

A reinforcement schedule where a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses, promoting high and steady response rates.