Question

Charles Lackey operates a bakery in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Because of its excellent product and excellent location, demand has increased by 45% in the last year. On far too many occasions, customers have not been able to purchase the bread of their choice. Because of the size of the store, no new ovens can be added. At a staff meeting, one employee suggested ways to load the ovens differently so that more loaves of bread can be baked at one time. This new process will require that the ovens be loaded by hand, requiring additional manpower. This is the only thing to be change. (Productivity remains the same.) (Hint: Each worker works 160 hours per month.)If the bakery currently makes 1,600 loaves per month with a labor productivity of 2,344 loaves per labor hour, then Lackey will need to add _____ worker(s) to meet the increased demand (recall each worker works 160 hours per month and round your response up to the next whole number).

Answer 1

Answer:

Note: labor productivity = 2.344 loaves per labor hour

Answer: 2 workers

Explanation:

Current production: 1600 loaves per month

Manpower hours: 160 hours a month

Productivity: 2.344 loaves per hour

To hours taken to produce 1600 loaves per month at productivity level

= 1600/2.344 = 682.59 labor hours

Each worker works 160 hours per month, ∴ total number of workers that worked for 682.59 labor hours = 682.59/160 = 4.27 workers ≈ 5 workers

(Assuming the approximation to 5 workers)

Increased demand by 45% would mean: 1.45 * 1600 = 2320 loaves per month

To hours taken to produce 2320 loaves per month at productivity level

= 2320/2.344 = 989.76 labor hours required

At a work rate of 160 hours per month: 989.76/160 = 6.19 workers ≈ 7 workers required

This would imply an addition of 2 to the existing number of 5