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XYZ coating company has reviewed four new processes for improving their coating

ID: 383321 • Letter: X

Question

XYZ coating company has reviewed four new processes for improving their coating line. The four processes, labeled A, B, C, and D, use different technology and have different capacities. All the processes have the same level of production and the lifetime.   
The four states of nature represent four levels of consumer acceptance of the firm's products. Values in the table are net present value of future profits in millions of dollars.
Forecasts indicate that there is a 0.6 probability of acceptance Level 1, 0.5 chance of acceptance Level 2, 0.3 chance of acceptance Level 3, and 0.4 change of acceptance Level 4.

Consumer Acceptance Level      (states of nature)

1

2

3

4

Alternative A

75

85

75

65

Alternative B

55

55

75

65

Alternative c

-95

-15

155

225

Alternative D

35

55

85

135


Using the criterion of expected monetary value, which production alternative should be chosen?

Consumer Acceptance Level      (states of nature)

1

2

3

4

Alternative A

75

85

75

65

Alternative B

55

55

75

65

Alternative c

-95

-15

155

225

Alternative D

35

55

85

135

Explanation / Answer

Consider the following notations:

Alternative A:

Expected Monetary Value = (0.6*75) + (0.5*85) + (0.3*75) + (0.4*65) = 45 + 42.5 + 22.5 + 26 = 136

Alternative B:

Expected Monetary Value = (0.6*55) + (0.5*55) + (0.3*75) + (0.4*65) = 33 + 27.5 + 22.5 + 26 = 109

Alternative C:

Expected Monetary Value = (0.6*-95) + (0.5*-15) + (0.3*155) + (0.4*225) = -57 - 7.5 + 46.5 + 90 = 72

Alternative D:

Expected Monetary Value = (0.6*35) + (0.5*55) + (0.3*85) + (0.4*135) = 21 + 27.5 + 25.5 + 54 = 128

Among the four alternatives, Alternative A provides highest Expected Monetary Value. Hence, we production alternative A need to be choosen.