Engineering Resource Allocation Analysis

00:00 8 marks

  • Build Confidence
  • HL
  • Tier 3
  • Substitution method
  • Systems of linear equations
  • Real-world modeling

An engineering company is planning a project that requires careful allocation of work hours across three critical tasks: design (x), fabrication (y), and testing (z). The project manager provides the following data:

– The total work hours allocated for design, fabrication, and testing is 9 hours.
– Twice the design hours minus the fabrication hours plus the testing hours equals 5.
– Three times the design hours plus the fabrication hours minus twice the testing hours equals 1.

(a) Construct the system of linear equations based on the provided data.
(b) Solve the system of equations systematically.
(c) Discuss the feasibility of the solution, considering that all allocated work hours must be non-negative.

Part a

4 minutes 3 marks

Question

From the provided project data, formulate the system of equations representing the allocation of work hours for the three tasks:

– Equation 1: The sum of design, fabrication, and testing hours equals 9.
– Equation 2: Twice the design hours minus fabrication hours plus testing hours equals 5.
– Equation 3: Three times the design hours plus fabrication hours minus twice the testing hours equals 1.



Hint Hint

Hint

Carefully translate each bullet point into an algebraic equation.

  • Answer Answer

Complete Answer

The system of equations is: \(x + y + z = 9\), \(2x – y + z = 5\), and \(3x + y – 2z = 1\).

  • Mark Scheme Mark Scheme
  • Answer Explanation Answer Explanation

Part b

4 minutes 3 marks

Question

Solve the system of equations below:

\(x + y + z = 9\)
\(2x – y + z = 5\)
\(3x + y – 2z = 1\)



Hint Hint

Hint

Use substitution or elimination to eliminate one variable and solve step by step.

  • Answer Answer

Complete Answer

\(x = 2, \; y = 3, \; z = 4\)

  • Mark Scheme Mark Scheme
  • Answer Explanation Answer Explanation

Part c

2 minutes 2 marks

Question

Based on your solution \(x = 2, \; y = 3, \; z = 4\), discuss the feasibility of the resource allocation, considering that all work hours must be non-negative. Is this allocation realistic for a project schedule?



Hint Hint

Hint

Check that each value is non-negative and consider if the hour allocation is practical.

  • Answer Answer

Complete Answer

Yes, the solution \(x = 2, \; y = 3, \; z = 4\) is feasible, as all values are non-negative and represent a realistic distribution of work hours among the tasks.

  • Mark Scheme Mark Scheme
  • Answer Explanation Answer Explanation

Math Editor

Report Question


Please enter keywords