Question

If 17 man-hours are needed to complete the 5th replication of a certain task and 12 man-hours are needed to complete the 10th replication, what is the learning-curve parameter for this task?

A) 81 % B) 71 % C) 85 % D) 80 % E) 70 %

Answer 1

We know that, time needed to produce nth unit is given as

Tn=To*N^b

We are given that time needed to produce 5th units is 17 man-hours. So,

17=To*(5)^b ------(1)

We are given that time needed to produce 10th units is 17 man-hours. So,

12=To**(10)^b------(2)

Divide equation 1 by equation 2

(17/12)=(5/10)^b

Take natural long both sides, we get

ln(17/12)=b*ln(5/10)

b=ln(17/12)/ln(0.5)=-0.50250034

We know that

b=ln(L)/ln(2)

-0.50250034=ln(L)/ln(2)

ln(L)=-0.50250034*ln(2)=-0.34830669

L=e^(-0.34830669)=0.7059 or say 71%

Correct option is

B) 71%