Question

In a learning curve application, 658.5 work hours are required for the third production unit and 615.7 work hours are required for the fourth production unit. Determine the value of n (and therefore s) in the equation Z U=K(u^n ), where u=the output unit number; Z_=the number of input resource units to produce output unit u; K=the number of input resource units to produce the first output unit; s=the learning curve slope parameter expressed as a decimal (s=0.9 for a 90% learning curve); n=log⁡s/log⁡2 =the learning curve exponent.

Answer 1

Answer:

• n ≈ -0.2336
• s ≈ 0.8505

Step-by-step explanation:

We can put the given numbers into the given formula and solve for n.

  658.5 = k·3^n

  615.7 = k·4^n

Dividing the first equation by the second, we get ...

  658.5/615.7 = (3/4)^n

The log of this is ...

  log(658.5/615.7) = n·log(3/4)

  n = log(658.5/615.7)/log(3/4) ≈ 0.0291866/-0.124939

  n ≈ -0.233607

Then we can find s from ...

  log(s) = n·log(2)

  s = 2^n

  s ≈ 0.850506