Exhibit 11-2 Suppose We Want to Choose Capacity for a Plant That

question 28

Essay

Exhibit 11-2
Suppose we want to choose capacity for a plant that will produce a new drug. In particular, we want to choose the capacity that maximizes discounted expected profit over the next 10 years. Assume all cash flows occur at the end of the year. We have the following information:
∙Demand for the drug is expected to be normally distributed ˜ Normal (50,000, 12,000). Demand each year is an independent event.
∙A unit of capacity costs $16 to build in year 1.
∙The number of units produced will equal the demand, up to capacity limits.
∙The revenue per unit is $3.70 and the cost per unit is $0.20 (variable cost).
∙The maintenance cost per unit of capacity is $0.40 (fixed cost).
∙The discount rate is 10%.
-[Part 3] Refer to Exhibit 11-2.Briefly explain why designing the plant for the expected capacity is clearly not the optimal solution.

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Definitions:

Futures Price

The agreed-upon price for a financial instrument or commodity to be sold or bought at a future date, used primarily in futures contracts trading.

Convergence Property

The characteristic of a mathematical series or economic model to approach a limit or a stable point over time.

Maturity

The date on which the principal amount of a bond, loan, or other financial instrument becomes due and is to be paid in full.

Marking To Market

The process of updating the value of a financial instrument to reflect its current market value, rather than its purchase price or book value.