A Contractor Builds Large Ships for the Department of Defense

question 101

Essay

A contractor builds large ships for the Department of Defense.A recent contract called for 12 amphibious landing platforms.It was originally estimated that the first of these would cost $1 billion and that 80 percent learning would be appropriate.In fact,the first ship cost $1.6 billion and the second $1.12 billion.What is the revised learning curve? What will be the total cost of the twelve ships? Is it higher or lower than the original estimate? If the defense department cuts the contract from 12 ships to 9,what happens to the average cost per ship?

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Definitions:

Disequilibrium Principle

A concept in cognitive psychology suggesting that learning occurs when existing knowledge is challenged by new information, leading to cognitive growth.

Premack Principle

The Premack Principle is a psychological concept that states a more preferred activity can be used as a reward to reinforce the performance of a less preferred activity.

Spanking

A form of corporal punishment that involves hitting the buttocks of another person to cause physical pain, typically used as a disciplinary measure.

Physical Punishment

The application of physical power aimed at making someone feel pain, without causing harm, in order to achieve correction or manage behavior.