Spring Is Right Around the Corner and That Can Mean

question 42

Multiple Choice

Spring is right around the corner and that can mean only one thing: it's time to incubate some eggs for a fresh crop of chickens to supplement the existing flock for the year. There are three breeds that are popular: Leghorns, Buff Orpingtons, and Cochins, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. The Leghorns, for example, are superb layers but easily excitable. The Cochins, on the other hand, are very even-tempered but not the best layers. They do have marvelous plumage, with feathers that extend down to their feet. The Buff Orpingtons are good layers, have interesting plumage, and are mid-range in their temperament.
The chicken farmer would like this crop of chickens to produce as many eggs as possible while keeping the noise to a dull roar and having a nice array of birds free-ranging on his lawn during those lazy summer days. He has put the relevant data in table form. Plumage numbers are on a scale from 1-10, with 10 being the most desirable. The egg output is not on a scale, but is instead the average output for the breed, based on years of collecting eggs.
$$\begin{array} { | l | c | c | c | } \hline \text { Bird } & \text { Leghorn } & \text { Cochin } & \text { Buff Orpington } \\\hline \text { Eggs/week } & 5 & 2 & 4.5 \\\hline \text { Plumage } & 3 & 9 & 6 \\\hline \text { Temperment } & 2 & 8 & 5 \\\hline \text { Fertilizer } & 3 & 2 & 4 \\\hline \text { Appetite } & 5 & 4 & 8 \\\hline\end{array}$$ Temperament is actually measured by the average volume of cackling, clucking, and crowing and is measured in decibels per bird. Appetite is measured in ounces of layer pellets per week consumed by each of the breeds, while fertilizer is measured as the output in ounces per week.
-The poultry farmer has in mind the following levels for each of his metrics of interest: a plumage score greater than 75, fertilizer production greater than 80 ounces per week, temperment less than 100 decibels, and an appetite less than 160 ounces of layer pellets per week. When he runs his linear programming model, he discovers that his flock will consist entirely of Leghorn birds. He can picture the sad little faces of his children when he tells them that there will be no variety of birds gracing their front lawn this summer. Help him avoid the embarrassment by selecting a constraint that will ensure that there is some variety in his flock.

• A) 5L + 4C + 8B ? 160
• B) 5L + 4C + 8B ? 160
• C) C + B ? 5
• D) L + C + B ? 5

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Definitions:

Economic Prosperity

The state of flourishing, thriving, good fortune, and/or successful social status in terms of wealth, health, and happiness.

Incentives

Forms of motivation that aim to encourage people to perform actions or undertake activities by providing rewards or benefits.

Costs And Benefits

The analysis of a decision by comparing the expenses and disadvantages against the gains and advantages.

Gas Prices

The cost per unit volume of gasoline, a significant indicator of both energy market conditions and economic factors affecting transportation costs.