Big Mike Has to Prepare a Bid for the Swimming

question 88

Essay

Big Mike has to prepare a bid for the swimming pools to be placed in every backyard in a new housing addition. Each swimming pool represents only a slight variation on the other, so there is a good opportunity to leverage learning effects in the bid process. A swimming pool installation can be broken down into four major steps: excavation, concrete, plumbing, and finish work. Mike has found the best contractors and asks each of them how long it will take to complete work on the first pool and what their learning rates are. Amazingly, each contractor is intimately familiar with learning curve theory and knows what his learning rate is for this type of work. This information is summarized in the table.
How long will it take to complete the 25th pool for the subdivision?
How long will it take to complete all 25 pools for the subdivision?

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Definitions:

Happiness

A state of well-being and contentment, often considered as an aim in life and a factor in evaluating the quality of life.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that posits the best action is the one that maximizes utility, typically defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering.

Roman Catholic Natural Law Ethics

An ethical theory based on the belief that the moral law is discoverable by every person through the use of reason and is grounded in human nature and purpose, as taught within Roman Catholic theology.

Utilitarianism

A moral theory that emphasizes the best action is the one that maximizes utility, generally defined as that which produces the greatest well-being of the greatest number of people.