D2 June 2012 Q8

EdexcelOld spec12 marksDynamic Programming

8. A company makes industrial robots.

They can make up to four robots in any one month, but if they make more than three they will have to hire additional labour at a cost of £400 per month.

They can store up to two robots at a cost of £150 per robot per month.

The overhead costs are £300 in any month in which work is done.

Robots are delivered to buyers at the end of each month. There are no robots in stock at the beginning of January and there should be none in stock after the April delivery.

The order book for robots is

MonthJanuaryFebruaryMarchApril
Number of robots required2234

Use dynamic programming to determine the production schedule which minimises the costs, showing your working in the table provided in the answer book. (12)