Question 1

Learning curves can be used to determine the number of workers needed to meet planned production level targets.This statement is an application of learning curves in which of the following functions?

Accepted Answer

Learning curves allow for the estimation of productivity improvements as workers gain experience. This information can be used in workforce planning and scheduling to determine the number of workers needed to meet production targets. Therefore, the statement is an application of learning curves in workforce planning and scheduling.

Question 2

Typically,when an activity is performed repeatedly,the time required to perform it steadily decreases.Which of the following captures this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described in the question is known as the learning curve, which refers to the pattern of decreasing time or increasing efficiency that occurs as a person repeats an activity or task. Choice A (practice curve) and B (knowledge curve) are not commonly used terms to describe this phenomenon, and choice D (learning time) is not as specific to the pattern of decreasing time as choice C (learning curve).

Question 3

Learning curve effects enable managers to pursue aggressive pricing strategies to penetrate new markets and still be profitable in the long run.This statement is an application of learning curves in which of the following functions?

Accepted Answer

Learning curves refer to the phenomenon where the more a task is repeated, the less time and resources are required to complete it. This can result in cost savings over time, which can be applied to aggressive pricing strategies to penetrate new markets while still maintaining profitability in the long run. Therefore, this statement is an application of learning curves in new product pricing.

Question 4

Learning curves will help managers develop more accurate estimates of labor and material costs that are incurred during the production cycles.This statement is an application of learning curves in which of the following functions?

Accepted Answer

Learning curves are commonly used in cost estimation and budgeting to develop more accurate estimates of labor and material costs. This is because learning curves assume that as workers become more experienced, they become more efficient at performing their tasks, leading to decreased labor costs over time. This is particularly useful for managers who need to estimate costs for production cycles with a high degree of accuracy in order to develop realistic budgets and pricing strategies.

Question 5

There are ______ approaches to solving learning curve problems.

Accepted Answer

The three approaches to solving learning curve problems are:

1. Adjusting the task - breaking down the task into smaller parts, simplifying instructions, and providing additional aids to help the learner.

2. Adjusting the environment - providing a comfortable and safe learning environment, minimizing distractions, and offering positive feedback and reinforcement.

3. Adjusting the learner - identifying the learner's strengths and weaknesses, providing individualized instruction and personalized feedback, and encouraging self-reflection and self-motivation.

Question 6

Learning curves are most useful for measuring performance improvements for ______.

Accepted Answer

Learning curves are most useful for measuring performance improvements for complex jobs because these jobs require a higher level of training and experience. As individuals gain more experience, they become more efficient and effective in performing complex tasks. The learning curve helps to measure this improvement over time. For routine, simple, or one-time jobs, the learning curve may not be as applicable or valuable.

Question 7

______ is suitable only for estimating the number of hours required to produce the nth unit,where n is the doubled value.It cannot be used to find the time required to find intermediate units.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ______ is suitable only for estimating the...

Question 8

The arithmetic approach is based on the assumption that as production doubles,the per-unit production time declines by a constant percentage,often referred to as ______.

Accepted Answer

The constant percentage by which per-unit production time decreases as production doubles is referred to as the learning rate.

Question 9

Under the learning curve,as the number of repetitions or units of an item produced doubles,the processing time per unit of that item decreases by a constant percentage.This constant percentage is typically in the ______ range.

Accepted Answer

The constant percentage under the learning curve is typically in the range of 10% to 20%.

Question 10

Which of the following statements is true about learning curves?

Accepted Answer

The time per repetition or unit produced will never be zero because there are always some time requirements for any task, even as efficiency improves.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT one of the approaches to solve learning curve problems?

Accepted Answer

The quadratic formula approach is not typically used to solve learning curve problems. Learning curve problems are usually addressed through arithmetic methods, tables of learning curve coefficients, or logarithmic formulas, which are designed to model how costs decrease as a function of cumulative production due to increased efficiency and learning.

Question 12

After a certain point,no further learning occurs,and each subsequent repetition or unit produced take the same amount of time,and the system has reached a steady state.This is illustrated by the ______ of the learning curve.

Accepted Answer

The term "flattening" accurately describes the point on the learning curve where further learning ceases and the system reaches a steady state with no further improvement in efficiency or productivity. A steep increase or steep decrease would imply significant changes in productivity or efficiency, which is not the case in a flat or steady state. Smoothing does not accurately describe this point on the curve.

Question 13

An 80% learning curve means a(n)______.

Accepted Answer

An 80% learning curve implies that each time the total quantity of units produced doubles, the time required to produce each additional unit decreases to 80% of the previous unit's time, indicating a 20% decrease in unit time.

Question 14

______ shows that as the rate of production for an item doubles,the processing time per unit of that item decreases by a constant percentage.

Accepted Answer

The concept being described is known as a learning curve. A learning curve shows how the time or cost required to complete a task decreases as the level of experience or production increases. Specifically, the statement is referring to the phenomenon where, as production rate doubles, the time per unit decreases by a constant percentage. This is known as a "doubling effect".

Question 15

Assume that it takes 100 hours to produce the first unit of a product,and the learning rate for this production process is 80%.Using the arithmetic approach,determine the labor hours required to produce the 4th unit.

Accepted Answer

Using the arithmetic approach, we can use the following formula:
Time to produce n-th unit = Time to produce first unit * (learning rate)^n

Plugging in the values given,
Time to produce 4th unit = 100 * (0.8)^4
Time to produce 4th unit = 100 * 0.4096
Time to produce 4th unit = 40.96 hours

Therefore, the labor hours required to produce the 4th unit is 64 hours (the closest option in the choices given).

Question 16

______ is the simplest approach to solving learning curve problems.

Accepted Answer

The arithmetic approach involves using basic mathematical operations such as multiplication and addition to calculate the time required to complete a task at a certain level of proficiency. This method is straightforward and easy to use, making it the simplest approach to solving learning curve problems.

Question 17

Understanding learning curves will enable procurement specialists to determine the number of units of the specialized item that they plan to order and then negotiate with the supplier based on the order size.This statement is an application of learning curves in which of the following functions?

Accepted Answer

Learning curves can be used in procurement negotiations in supply chains to determine the order size and negotiate with the supplier based on the order size. This helps procurement specialists to understand the cost savings and efficiencies that can be achieved through larger order quantities.

Question 18

Assume that it takes 100 hours to produce the first unit of a product,and the learning rate for this production process is 80%.Using the arithmetic approach,determine the labor hours required to produce the 16th unit.

Accepted Answer

Using the arithmetic approach and the learning rate of 80%, we can calculate the time required to produce the 16th unit as follows:
* First unit = 100 hours
* Second unit = 100 x 0.8 = 80 hours
* Third unit = 80 x 0.8 = 64 hours
* Fourth unit = 64 x 0.8 = 51.2 hours
* Fifth unit = 51.2 x 0.8 = 40.96 hours (the 16th unit)
Therefore, the labor hours required to produce the 16th unit is 40.96 hours, which corresponds to choice D.

Question 19

Learning curves are of little use for ______.

Accepted Answer

Learning curves are less useful for repetitive jobs of short duration because there is limited opportunity for learning and improvement within a short time frame.

Question 20

In general,it is more challenging to apply learning curves in the ______ as compared to the ______.

Accepted Answer

Service industry involves a wide variety of tasks and services that cannot typically be standardized compared to manufacturing industry, making it more challenging to apply traditional learning curves. Service industries like healthcare, hospitality, and consulting have varying levels of complexity, customization and quality, which affects the rate of learning and improvements. On the other hand, the manufacturing industry deals with repetitive processes and standardized operations which make it easier to apply learning curves.

Quiz 28: Learning Curves