Holooly Plus Logo
Holooly Plus Logo

Question 7S.1: An activity is known to have an 80 percent learning curve. I......

An activity is known to have an 80 percent learning curve. It has taken a worker 10 hours to produce the first unit. Determine expected completion times for these units: the 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 16th (note successive doubling of units).

Step-by-Step
The 'Blue Check Mark' means that this solution was answered by an expert.
Learn more on how do we answer questions.
Report Answer

Each time the cumulative output doubles, the time per unit for that amount should be approximately equal to the previous time multiplied by the learning percentage (80 percent in this case). Thus:

Unit Unit Time (hours)
1                 = 10
2 .8(10)     = 8
4 .8(8)      = 6.4
8 .8(6.4)   = 5.12
16 .8(5.12) = 4.096

Related Answered Questions

Question: 7S.P.1

An assembly operation has a 90 percent learning curve. The line has just begun work on a new item; the initial unit required 28 hours. Estimate the time that will be needed to complete: a. The first five units. b. Units 20 through 25. ...

Verified Answer:

Use the total time factor in the 90 percent column...
Question: 7S.4

Use learning curve theory to predict the number of repetitions (units) that will be needed for a trainee to achieve a unit time of 6 minutes if the trainee took 10 minutes to do the first unit and a learning curve of 90 percent is operative. a. Use the learning table. b. Use the log formula. ...

Verified Answer:

a. The table approach can be used for the learning...
Question: 7S.3

The manager in Example 7S–2 believes that some unusual problems were encountered in producing the first jet and would like to revise that estimate based on a completion time of 276 days for the third jet. ...

Verified Answer:

The unit value for n = 3 and an 80 percent curve i...
Question: 7S.2

Production Airplanes is negotiating a contract for the production of 20 small jet aircraft. The initial jet required the equivalent of 400 days of direct labor. The learning percentage is 80 percent. Estimate the expected number of days of direct labor for a. The 20th jet. b. All 20 jets. c. The ...

Verified Answer:

Using Table 7S.1 with n = 20 and an 80 percent lea...
Question: 7S.P.2

A manager wants to determine an appropriate learning rate for a new type of work his firm will undertake. He has obtained completion times for the initial six repetitions of a job of this type. What learning rate is appropriate? ...

Verified Answer:

According to theory, the time per unit decreases a...