Question 1:
(i) Comment briefly on the following statement by T. L. Saaty: “Operations research is the art of giving bad answers to problems, to which otherwise have worse answers”?
(ii) Discuss three applications of operations research in order to improve decision making process.
Question 2: A repairman is to be hired to repair machines which break down at an average of 6 per hour. The breakdown of the machines follows Poisson distribution. The non-utilisation time of a machine is considered to cost Rs 400 per hour. Two potential candidates, John and Kris, have been called for this purpose. John charges Rs.100 per hour and he services machines breakdown at the rate of 8 per hour. On the other hand, Kris charges Rs 300 per hour and he services machines breakdown for at a rate of 9 per hour. Assuming 10 hours shift per day and based on the given information, is it wiser to hire John or Kris? Justify your answer
Question 3: Discuss briefly any two basic components of a queueing system.