The dynaco manufacturing company produces

Quantitative Methods: Probability Questions

Chapter 14

1. The Hoylake Rescue Squad receives an emergency call every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 hours, according to

the following probability distribution. The squad is on duty 24 hours per day, 7 days per week:

Time Between

Emergency Calls (hr.) Probability

1 0.15

2 0.10

3 0.20

4 0.25

5 0.20

6 0.10

1.00

a. Simulate the emergency calls for 3 days (note that this will require a “running” , or cumulative,

hourly clock), using the random number table.

b. Compute the average time between calls and compare this value with the expected value of the

time between calls from the probability distribution. Why are the result different?

2. The time between arrivals of cars at the Petroco Services Station is defined by the following

probability distribution:

Time Between

Emergency Calls (hr.) Probability

1 0.35

2 0.25

3 0.20

4 0.20

1.00

MAT540 Homework Week 3

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a. Simulate the arrival of cars at the service station for 20 arrivals and compute the average time

between arrivals.

b. Simulate the arrival of cars at the service station for 1 hour, using a different stream of random

numbers from those used in (a) and compute the average time between arrivals.

c. Compare the results obtained in (a) and (b).

3. The Dynaco Manufacturing Company produces a product in a process consisting of operations of

five machines. The probability distribution of the number of machines that will break down in a

week follows:

Machine Breakdowns

Per Week Probability

0 0.10

1 0.20

2 0.15

3 0.30

4 0.15

5 0.10

1.00

a. Simulate the machine breakdowns per week for 20 weeks.

b. Compute the average number of machines that will break down per week.

4. Simulate the following decision situation for 20 weeks, and recommend the best decision.

A concessions manager at the Tech versus A&M football game must decide whether to have the

vendors sell sun visors or umbrellas. There is a 30% chance of rain, a 15% chance of overcast skies,

and a 55% chance of sunshine, according to the weather forecast in college junction, where the

game is to be held. The manager estimates that the following profits will result from each decision,

given each set of weather conditions:

MAT540 Homework Week 3

Page 3 of 3

Decision Weather Conditions

Rain

0.35

Overcast

0.25

Sunshine

0.40

Sun visors $-400 $-200 $1,500

Umbrellas 2,100 0 -800

5. Every time a machine breaks down at the Dynaco Manufacturing Company (Problem 3), either 1, 2,

or 3 hours are required to fix it, according to the following probability distribution:

Repair Time (hr.) Probability

1 0.20

2 0.50

3 0.30

1.00

Simulate the repair time for 20 weeks and then compute the average weekly repair time.