Suppose there are three power-generating plants, each of which has access to 5 different production processes. The table below summarizes the cost of each production process and the corresponding number of tons of smoke emitted each.
The least costly way of lowering smoke emissions from 12 tons to 9 tons per day would be for:
A)each firm to reduce emissions by 1 ton, emitting 3 tons each.
B)Firm X to emit 2 tons, Firm Y to emit 3 tons and Firm Z to emit 4 tons.
C)Firm X to emit 4 tons, Firm Y to emit 3 tons and Firm Z to emit 2 tons.
D)Firm X to emit 1 ton, Firm Y to emit 4 tons and Firm Z to emit 4 tons.

Question

Suppose there are three power-generating plants, each of which has access to 5 different production processes. The table below summarizes the cost of each production process and the corresponding number of tons of smoke emitted each.   
The least costly way of lowering smoke emissions from 12 tons to 9 tons per day would be for:
A)each firm to reduce emissions by 1 ton, emitting 3 tons each. 
B)Firm X to emit 2 tons, Firm Y to emit 3 tons and Firm Z to emit 4 tons. 
C)Firm X to emit 4 tons, Firm Y to emit 3 tons and Firm Z to emit 2 tons. 
D)Firm X to emit 1 ton, Firm Y to emit 4 tons and Firm Z to emit 4 tons.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The least costly way of reducing emissions by 1 ton is for Firm X to go from 4 to 3 tons per day (a cost of $14). The least costly way of reducing emissions by a second ton is for Firm X to go from 3 to 2 tons per day (a cost of $16), and the least costly way of reducing emissions by a third ton is for Firm Y to go from 4 to 3 tons per day (a cost of $20).

Suppose There Are Three Power-Generating Plants, Each of Which Has