This document outlines the assignments for the Quantitative Methods course MAT 540 at Strayer University. It includes case problems and assignments on forecasting methods, linear programming, and transportation modeling. The assignments involve using simulation and linear programming to model scenarios and make recommendations. Students are asked to formulate models, solve them to analyze scenarios, and provide written analysis and recommendations based on the results.

1. MAT 540
Quantitative Methods
Strayer University
JET Copies Case Problem
Internet Field Trip - Forecasting Methods
Julia’s Food Booth
Stateline Shipping and Transport Company
All Quizzes
Midterm & Final Exams
All DQs
MAT 540
Quantitative Methods
Assignments:
Week 3 Assignment 1: JET Copies Case Problem
Read the “JET Copies” Case Problem on pages 678-679 of the text. Using simulation estimate the loss of
revenue due to copier breakdown for one year, as follows:
1. In Excel, use a suitable method for generating the number of days needed to repair the copier, when it is out of service, according to
the discrete distribution shown.
2. In Excel, use a suitable method for simulating the interval between successive breakdowns, according to the continuous distribution
shown.
3. In Excel, use a suitable method for simulating the lost revenue for each day the copier is out of service.
4. Put all of this together to simulate the lost revenue due to copier breakdowns over 1 year to answer the question asked in the case
study.
5. In a word processing program, write a brief description/explanation of how you implemented each component of the model. Write 1-2
paragraphs for each component of the model (days-to-repair; interval between breakdowns; lost revenue; putting it together).
6. Answer the question posed in the case study. How confident are you that this answer is a good one? What are the limits of the
study? Write at least one paragraph.
Week 4 Assignment 2: Internet Field Trip - Forecasting Methods
1. Research: Research at least six (6) information sources on forecasting methods; take notes and
record and interpret significant facts, meaningful graphics, accurate sounds and evaluated alternative points
of view.
2. Preparation: Produce as storyboard with thumbnails of at least ten (10) slides. Include the following
elements:
Title of slide, text, background color, placement & size of graphic, fonts - color, size, type for text and
headings
Hyperlinks (list URLs of any site linked from the slide), narration text, and audio files (if any)
o Number on slides clear
o Logical sequence to the presentation
3. Content: Provide written content with the following elements:
o introduction that presents the overall topic (clear sense of the project’s main idea) and draws the
audience into the presentation with compelling questions or by relating to the audience's interests or goals.
o accurate, current
o clear, concise, and shows logical progression of ideas and supporting information
o motivating questions and advanced organizers
o drawn mainly from primary sources
4. Text Elements: Slides should have the following characteristics:

2. o fonts are easy-to-read; point size that varies appropriately for headings and text
o italics, bold, and indentations enhance readability
o background and colors enhance the readability of text
o appropriate in length for the target audience; to the point
5. Layout: The layout should have the following characteristics:
o visually pleasing
o contributes to the overall message
o appropriate use of headings, subheadings and white space
6. Media: The graphics, sound, and/or animation should
o assist in presenting an overall theme and enhance understanding of concept, ideas and relationships
o have original images that are created using proper size and resolution; enhance the content
o have a consistent visual theme.
7. Citations: The sources of information should:
o properly cited so that the audience can determine the credibility and authority of the information
presented
o be properly formatted according to APA style
Week 7 Assignment 3 Case Problem - Julia’s Food Booth
Julia is a senior at Tech, and she’s investigating different ways to finance her final year at school. She is
considering leasing a food booth outside the Tech stadium at home football games. Tech sells out every
home game, and Julia knows, from attending the games herself, that everyone eats a lot of food. She has
to pay $1,000 per game for a booth, and the booths are not very large. Vendors can sell either food or
drinks on Tech property, but not both. Only the Tech athletic department concession stands can sell both
inside the stadium. She thinks slices of cheese pizza, hot dogs, and barbecue sandwiches are the most
popular food items among fans and so these are the items she would sell.
Most food items are sold during the hour before the game starts and during half time; thus it will not be
possible for Julia to prepare the food while she is selling it. She must prepare the food ahead of time and
then store it in a warming oven. For $600 she can lease a warming oven for the six-game home
season. The oven has 16 shelves, and each shelf is 3 feet by 4 feet. She plans to fill the oven with the
three food items before the game and then again before half time.
Julia has negotiated with a local pizza delivery company to deliver 14-inch cheese pizzas twice each game –
2 hours before the game and right after the opening kickoff. Each pizza will cost her $4.50 and will include
6 slices. She estimates it will cost her $0.50 for each hot dog and $1.00 for each barbecue sandwich if she
makes the barbecue herself the night before. She measured a hot dog and found it takes up about 16 in2
of
space, whereas a barbecue sandwich takes up about 25 in2
. She plans to sell a piece of pizza for $1.50 and
a hot dog for $1.60 each and a barbecue sandwich for $2.25. She has $1,500 in cash available to purchase
and prepare the food items for the first home game; for the remaining five games she will purchase her
ingredients with money she has made from the previous game.
Julia has talked to some students and vendors who have sold food at previous football games at Tech as
well as at other universities. From this she has discovered that she can expect to sell at least as many slices
of pizza as hot dogs and barbecue sandwiches combined. She also anticipates that she will probably sell at

3. least twice as many hot dogs as barbecue sandwiches. She believes that she will sell everything she can
stock and develop a customer base for the season if she follows these general guidelines for demand.
If Julia clears at least $1,000 in profit for each game after paying all her expenses, she believes it will be
worth leasing the booth.
A. Formulate a linear programming model for Julia that will help you to advise her if she should lease the
booth. Formulate the model for the first home game. Explain how you derived the profit function and
constraints and show any calculations that allow you to arrive at those equations.
B. Solve the linear programming model using a computer for Julia that will help you advise her if she should
lease the booth. In this solution, determine the number of pizza slices, hot dogs and barbecue sandwiches
she should sell at each game. Also determine the revenues, cost and profit; and do an analysis of how
much money she actually will make each game given the expenses of each game.
Do an analysis of the profit solution and what impact it has on Julia’s ability to have sufficient funds for the
next home game to purchase and prepare the food. What would you recommend to Julia?
C. If Julia were to borrow some money from a friend before the first game to purchase more ingredients,
she feels she can increase her profits. What amount, if any, would you recommend to Julia to borrow?
D. Food prices have been rising lately. Assume purchase costs for the food is now $6.00 for each pizza,
$0.75 for each hot dog, and $1.25 for each barbecue sandwich. Repeat the analysis of Part B. What would
you recommend to Julia to do at this point?
E. Julia seems to be basing her analysis on the assumptions that everything will go as she plans. What are
some of the uncertain factors in the model that could go wrong and adversely affect Julia’s analysis? Given
these uncertainties and the results in (B), (C), and (D), what do you recommend that Julia do? Take into
consideration her profit margin for each game.
Week 10 Assignment 4 Case Problem - Stateline Shipping and Transport Company
Read the “Stateline Shipping and Transport Company” Case Problem on pages 273-274 of the text. Analyze
this case, as follows:
1. In Excel, or other suitable program, develop a model for shipping the waste directly from the 6 plants
to the 3 waste disposal sites.
2. Solve the model you developed in #1 (above) and clearly describe the results.
3. In Excel, or other suitable program, Develop a transshipment model in which each of the plants and
disposal sites can be used as intermediate points.