Question: The plant manager has asked you to

> The manager of a canned-food processing plant has two labeling machine options. On the basis of a rate of return analysis with a MARR of 20% per year, determine (a) which model is economically better, and (b) if the selection changes, provided both optio

> RKI Instruments manufactures a ventilation controller designed for monitoring and controlling carbon monoxide in parking garages, boiler rooms, tunnels, etc. The net cash flow associated with one plant for the first 3 years of operation is shown. (a) Wha

> For the two alternatives, demonstrate that the sum of the incremental cash flow series (Z − X) over the LCM is equal to the difference in the sums of the individual cash flow series for X and Z.

> For the cash flows shown, determine the incremental cash flow between machines B and A (a) in year 0, (b) in year 3, and (c) in year 6.

> Four mutually exclusive service alternatives are under consideration for automating a manufacturing operation. The alternatives were ranked in order of increasing initial investment and then compared by incremental rate of return analysis. The rate of re

> Self-tightening wedge grips are designed for tensile testing applications up to 1200 pounds. The cash flows associated with the product are available below. Determine the following from these values: net cash flow series, cumulative cash flow series, and

> According to Descartes’ rule of signs, determine the possible number of i* values for the net cash flow series with the following signs: (a) −−−+++−+− (b) −−−−−−+++++ (c) ++++−−−−−−+−+−−− (d) −−++++−

> Amigo Mobility, which manufactures battery powered mobility scooters, has $700,000 to invest. The company is considering three different battery projects that will yield the following rates of return: Deep cycle = 28% Wet/flooded = 42% Lithium ion = 19%

> Identify the net cash flows shown below as either conventional or nonconventional.

> Identify the following net cash flow series as conventional or nonconventional.

> What cash flows are associated with Descartes’ rule of signs and Norstrom’s criterion?

> Define the term reinvestment rate and describe how it differs for any cash flow series between (1) a PW value calculated at the MARR, and (2) the IROR value i*.

> Assume you have a total of $200,000 to invest in two corporate stocks identified as Z1 and Z2. The overall rate of return you require on the $200,000 is 26% per year. (a) If $40,000 is invested in Z2 with an estimated i * Z2 of 14% per year, what value m

> An Indium-Gallium-Arsenide-Nitrogen alloy developed at Sandia National Laboratory is said to have potential uses in electricity-generating solar cells. The new material is expected to have a longer life, and it is believed to have a 40% efficiency rate,

> Army Research Laboratory scientists developed a diffusion-enhanced adhesion process which is expected to significantly improve the performance of multifunction hybrid composites. NASA engineers estimate that composites made using the new process will res

> A plaintiff in a successful lawsuit was awarded a judgment of $4800 per month for 5 years. The plaintiff has the need of a fairly large sum of money immediately for an investment of his own, and has offered the defendant the opportunity to pay off the aw

> Aloma, a university graduate who started a successful business, wants to start an endowment in her name that will provide scholarships to IE students. She wants the scholarship to provide $10,000 per year and expects the first one to be awarded on the da

> The PW-based relation for the incremental cash flow series to find Δi* between the lower first-cost alternative X and alternative Y has been developed. 0 = − 40,000 + 9000(P∕A,Δi*,10) − 2000(P∕F,Δi*,10) Determine the highest MARR value for which Y is pre

> Barron Chemical uses a thermoplastic polymer to enhance the appearance of certain RV panels. The initial cost of one process was $130,000 with annual costs of $49,000 and revenues of $78,000 in year 1, increasing by $1000 per year. A salvage value of $23

> A broadband service company borrowed $2 million for new equipment and repaid the loan in amounts of $200,000 in years 1 and 2 plus a lumpsum amount of $2.2 million at the end of year 3. What was the interest rate on the loan?

> Swagelok Enterprises is a manufacturer of miniature fittings and valves. Over a 5-year period, the costs associated with one product line were as follows: first cost of $30,000 and annual costs of $18,000. Annual revenue was $27,000 and the used equipmen

> What rate of return per month will an entrepreneur make over a 2½-year project period if he invested $150,000 to produce portable 12-volt air compressors? His monthly costs are $27,000 and his revenues are $33,000.

> In order to finance a new project, a company borrowed $4,000,000 at 8% per year with the stipulation that the company would repay the loan plus all interest at the end of one year. Assume the company’s effective tax rate is 39%. What was the company’s co

> Over a 7-year period, the number of uninsured motorists in New Mexico dropped from 33% to 10% because an up-to-date computer database allowed the state to better police its requirements for car and truck liability insurance. Assuming the decrease occurre

> A total of $50,000 was allocated to a project to detect and reduce insider theft in the ZipCar auto parts store. Two alternatives identified as Y and Z are under consideration. The overall ROR on the $50,000 is expected to be 40%, with the rate of return

> Determine the rate of return for the following cash flow series.

> The Camino Real Landfill was required to install a plastic liner to prevent leachate from migrating into the groundwater. The fill area was 50,000 m2 and the installed liner cost was $8 per m2. In order to recover the investment, the owner charges to unl

> A small construction company has $100,000 set aside in a capital improvement fund to purchase new equipment. If $30,000 is invested at 30%, $20,000 at 25%, and the remaining $50,000 at 20% per year, what is the overall rate of return on the entire $100,0

> What is the overall rate of return on a $100,000 investment that returns 20% on the first $30,000 and 14% on the remaining $70,000?

> Why is an incremental analysis necessary when conducting a rate of return analysis for cost alternatives?

> Identify the viewpoint (e.g., budget, government unit, citizen, business owner), and categorize the following cash flows as a benefit, disbenefit, or cost: (a) $600,000 annual income to area businesses from tourism created by new freshwater reservoir/ re

> Incremental cash flow is calculated as (cash flowB− cash flowA), where B represents the alternative with the larger initial investment. If the two cash flows were switched wherein B represents the one with the smaller initial investment, which alternativ

> Spectra Scientific of Santa Clara, CA manufactures Q-switched solid state industrial lasers for LED substrate scribing and silicon wafer dicing. The company got a $60 million loan to be repaid over a 5-year period at 8% per year interest. Determine the a

> BASF will invest $14 million this year to upgrade its ethylene glycol processes. This chemical is used to produce polyester resins to manufacture products varying from construction materials to aircraft, and from luggage to home appliances. Equity capita

> Identify the following projects as primarily public or private sector. (a) Bridge across Ohio River (b) Coal mine expansion (c) Baja 1000 race team (d) Consulting engineering firm (e) New county courthouse building (f) Flood control project (g) Endangere

> In conducting a B/C analysis, (a) why is it usually necessary to take a specific viewpoint in categorizing cost, benefit, disbenefit estimates; and (b) what are two specific viewpoints that you can identify if the situation is a financial transaction bet

> In conducting a replacement study of assets with different lives, can the annual worth values over the asset’s own life cycle be used in the comparison, if the study period is (a) unlimited, (b) limited, and the study period is not an even multiple of as

> Machine A was purchased 5 years ago for $90,000. Its operating cost is higher than expected, so it will be used for only 4 more years. Its operating cost this year will be $40,000, increasing by $2000 per year through the end of its useful life. The chal

> With the estimates shown below, Sarah needs to determine the trade-in (replacement) value of machine X that will render its AW equal to that of machine Y at an interest rate of 8% per year. Determine the RV (a) by hand solution, and (b) using a spreadshe

> A company that makes micro motion compact coriolis meters purchased a new packaging system for $600,000. The estimated salvage value was $28,000 after 10 years. Currently the expected remaining life is 7 years with an AOC of $27,000 per year and an estim

> In Example 11.8, the in-place kiln and replacement kiln (GH) were evaluated using a fixed study period of 6 years. This is a significantly shortened period compared to the expected 12-year life of the challenger. Use the best estimates available througho

> In order to replace an old process for producing a polymer that reduces friction loss in engines, two current-technology machines have been identified. Process K will have a first cost of $160,000, an operating cost of $7000 per month, and a salvage valu

> A machine purchased 3 years ago for $140,000 is now too slow to satisfy the demand of customers. It can be upgraded now for $79,000 or sold to a smaller company internationally for $40,000. The upgraded machine will have an annual operating cost of $85,0

> In the process of performing a replacement study, an engineer at a fiber optics manufacturing company has two options to reduce costs on a production line. The currently owned Robot X can be sold now for $82,000. If kept, it will have an annual M&O cost

> When determining the economic service life of a new piece of equipment, an engineer made the calculations below; however, the annual worth of the salvage value for 2 years of retention was omitted. Complete the analysis by determining the following to ma

> The rate of return at the end of year 8 for two situations: (a) the business is sold for the net cash amount of $100,000 and (b) no sale.

> Searching for ways to cut costs and increase profit, one of the industrial engineers at Home Comfort Furniture Manufacturers, Inc. determined that the equivalent annual worth of an existing machine over its remaining useful life of 2 years is $70,000 per

> Randall-Rico Consultants, 5 years ago, purchased for $45,000 a microwave signal graphical plotter for corrosion detection in concrete structures. It is expected to have the market values and annual operating costs shown for its remaining useful life of u

> A presently owned machine has the projected market value and M&O costs shown below. An outside vendor of services has offered to provide the service of the existing machine at a fixed price per year. If the presently owned machine is replaced now, th

> State-of-the-art digital imaging equipment purchased 2 years ago for $50,000 had an expected useful life of 5 years and a $5000 salvage value. After its installation the performance was poor, and it was upgraded for $20,000 one year ago. Increased demand

> A presently owned machine can last 3 more years, if properly maintained at a cost of $15,000 per year. Its AOC is $31,000 per year. After 3 years, it can be sold for an estimated $9000. A replacement costs $80,000 with a $10,000 salvage value after 3 yea

> State what is meant by the cash flow approach and list two of its limitations in a replacement study.

> In Example 11.3, the market value (salvage value) series of the proposed $38 million replacement kiln (GH) dropped to $25 million in only 1 year and then retained 75% of the previous year’s market value through the remainder of its 12-year expected life.

> A piece of equipment has a first cost of $150,000, a maximum useful life of 7 years, and a market (salvage) value described by the relation S = 120,000 – 20,000k, where k is the number of years since it was purchased. The salvage value cannot go below ze

> A large, standby electricity generator in a hospital operating room has a first cost of $70,000 and may be used for a maximum of 6 years. Its salvage value, which decreases by 15% per year, is described by the equation S = 70,000(1 − 0.15)n, where n is t

> The following estimates (in $1000 units) have been developed for a security system upgrade at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. (a) Calculate the conventional B/C ratio at a discount rate of 10% per year. Is the project justified? (b) Determine the minimum first

> An injection molding system has a first cost of $180,000, and an annual operating cost of $84,000 in years 1 and 2, increasing by $5000 per year thereafter. The salvage value of the system is 25% of the first cost regardless of when the system is retired

> A piece of onboard equipment has a first cost of $600,000, an annual cost of $92,000, and a salvage value that decreases to zero by $150,000 each year of the equipment’s maximum useful life of 5 years. Assume the company’s MARR is 10% per year. (a) Deter

> An airport Baggage Handing Department has evaluated two proposals for baggage delivery conveyor systems. A present worth analysis at i = 15% per year of estimated revenues and costs resulted in PWA = $460,000 and PWB = $395,000. In addition to this econo

> John, who works for Dumas Jewelers, has decided to use the weighted attribute method to compare three systems of cutting diamonds for setting into rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Once the final inspector and cutting manager scored each of thre

> Different types and capacities of crawler hoes are being considered for use in a significant excavation project to bury fiber-optic cable in Argentina. Several supervisors who have experience with similar projects have identified key attributes and their

> Two friends each invested $20,000 of their own (equity) funds. Stan, being more conservative, purchased utility and manufacturing corporation stocks. Theresa, being a risk taker, leveraged the $20,000 and purchased a $100,000 condo for rental property. C

> Deavyanne Johnston, the engineering manager at TZO Chemicals, is conducting an evaluation of alternatives based on ROR. She was given the following data and told that due to the unusually large number of investment opportunities the company now has, all

> A new annular die process is to be installed for extruding pipes, tubes, and tubular films. The phase I installed price for the dies and machinery is $2,000,000. The manufacturer has not decided how to finance the system. The WACC over the last 5 years h

> Mrs. McKay’s Nutrition Products has different methods by which a $600,000 project can be funded using debt and equity capital. A net cash flow of $90,000 per year is estimated for 7 years. Determine the rate of return for each plan, and

> Halifax Technologies primarily relies on 100% equity financing to fund projects. A good opportunity is available that will require $250,000 in capital. The Halifax owner can supply the money from personal investments that currently earn an average of 8.5

> What is the minimum amount that must be received in each of years 5 through 8 for option 3 (the one Elmer wants) to be best economically? Given this amount, what does the sale price have to be, assuming the same payment arrangement as presented above?

> Mosaic Software has an opportunity to invest $10,000,000 in a new engineering remote-control system for offshore drilling platforms in partnership with two other companies. Financing for Mosaic will be split between common stock sales ($5,000,000) and a

> Why is it financially unhealthy for an individual to maintain a large percentage of debt financing over a long period of time, that is, to be highly leveraged?

> Last year a Japanese engineering materials corporation, Yamachi Inc., purchased U.S. Treasury bonds that returned an average of 4% per year. Now, Euro bonds are being purchased with a realized average return of 3.9% per year. The volatility factor of Ya

> Common stock issued by Meggitt Sensing Systems paid stockholders an initial dividend of $0.93 per share on an average price of $18.80 last year. The company expects to grow the dividend rate at a maximum of 1.5% per year. The stock volatility is 1.19, an

> An international pharmaceutical company is initiating a new project that requires $2.5 million in debt capital. The current plan is to sell 20-year bonds that pay 4.2% per year, payable quarterly, at a 3% discount on the face value. The company has an ef

> Tri-States Gas Producers expects to borrow $800,000 for field engineering improvements. Two methods of debt financing are possible—borrow it all from a bank or issue debenture bonds. The company will pay an effective 8% per year to the bank for 8 years.

> A company that makes several different types of skateboards, Jennings Outdoors, incurred interest expenses of $1,200,000 per year from various types of debt financing. The company received $19,000,000 in year 0 through the sale of discounted bonds with a

> The cash flow plan associated with a debt financing transaction allowed a company to receive $2,800,000 now in lieu of future interest payments of $196,000 per year for 10 years plus a lump sum of $2,800,000 in year 10. If the company’s effective tax rat

> An engineering student has only 45 minutes before the final exam in her Engineering Economy class. She needs help in understanding cost-effectiveness analysis because she knows from the instructor’s review session that a CEA problem wil

> The annual cost and an effectiveness measure of items salvaged per year for four mutually exclusive, service sector alternatives have been collected. Calculate (a) the cost effectiveness ratio for each alternative, and (b) use the CER to identify the bes

> Prepare plots of the PW versus i for each of the five options. Estimate the breakeven rate of return between options.

> There are a number of techniques to help people stop smoking, but their cost and effectiveness vary widely. One accepted measure of effectiveness of a program is “percentage of enrollees quitting.” The table in this pr

> Productivity improvement is a primary goal for the new owners of a plastic pipe extrusion plant. The CEO decided to undertake, on a trial basis, a series of actions directed toward improving employee morale as a first step toward productivity increasing

> Various techniques have been proposed to curb cross-border drug smuggling into a country. The costs of implementing each strategy along a particularly rugged section of the border are indicated below. The table also includes a score that is compiled base

> Several alternatives are under consideration to enhance security at a county jail. Since the alternatives serve different areas of the facility, all that are economically attractive will be implemented. Determine which one(s) should be selected, based on

> In order to safeguard the public health, environment, public beaches, water quality, and economy of south San Diego County, California, and Tijuana, Mexico, federal agencies in the United States and Mexico developed four alternatives for treating wastewa

> From the information shown for possible location of campgrounds and lodging at a national park, determine which project, if any, should be selected from the six mutually exclusive projects. Selected incremental B/C ratios are included. If the proper comp

> The city of Valley View, California, is considering various proposals regarding the disposal of used tires. All proposals involve shredding, but the benefits differ in each plan. An incremental B/C analysis was initiated, but the engineer conducting the

> The Department of Defense is considering three sites in the National Wildlife Preserve for extraction of rare metals. The cash flows associated with each site are summarized. The extraction period is limited to 5 years and the interest rate is 10% per ye

> A public-private partnership has been formed between a city, county, and construction/management company to attract a professional athletic team to the area. Assume you are the engineer with the company and are assisting with the benefit/cost analysis. T

> A public utility in a medium-size city is considering two cash rebate programs to achieve water conservation. Program 1, which is expected to cost an average of $60 per household, provides a rebate of 75% of the purchase and installation costs of an ultr

> If John’s father insists that he make 25% per year or more on the selected option over the next 10 years, what should he do? Use all the methods of economic analysis you have learned so far (PW, AW, ROR) so John’s father can understand the recommendation

> There are two potential locations to construct an urgent care walk-in clinic to serve rural residents. Use B/C analysis to determine which location, if any, is better at an interest rate of 8% per year.

> Two relatively inexpensive alternatives are available for reducing potential earthquake damage at a top secret government research site. The cash flow estimates for each alternative are given below. At an interest rate of 8% per year, use the B/C ratio m

> One of two alternatives will be selected to reduce flood damage in a rural community in central Arizona. The estimates associated with each alternative are available. Use B/C analysis at a discount rate of 8% per year over a 20-year study period to deter

> Dickinson, a large oil and gas drilling and operating corporation, has invested over the past 6 years in the installation and operation of a FOUNDATION Fieldbus H1 (FF H1) system developed by Pepperl+Fuchs of Germany. A project engineer has collected inf

> With an installed capacity in excess of 11,000 MW, the Belo Monte dam complex on the Xingu River in Brazil will be the world’s third largest hydroelectric dam. The project is expected to cost $16 billion and will begin producing electricity upon completi

> From the following data for a PPP project, calculate the (a) conventional, and (b) modified benefit/ cost ratios using an interest rate of 6% per year and an infinite project period.

> In most developed countries, laws that prohibit texting-while-driving (TWD) have been enacted. Hambara and Associates, a systems engineering consulting company, has won the contract to assist the Callaghan Police Department in implementing projects that

> A rate of return analysis was initiated for the infinite- life alternatives shown below. (a) Fill in the 10 blanks in the incremental rate of return (Δi*) columns. (b) How much revenue is associated with each alternative? (c) Which alternati

> Four different machines were under consideration for materials flow improvement on a drug bottling line. An engineer performed the economic analysis to select the best machine, but some of his calculations were removed from the report by a disgruntled em

> The four alternatives described below are being evaluated by the rate of return method. (a) If the proposals are independent, which should be selected at a MARR of 16% per year? (b) If the proposals are mutually exclusive, which one should be selected at

> Develop the actual cash flow series and incremental cash flow series (in $1000 units) for all five options in preparation for an incremental ROR analysis.