Excel Problem*

Task: Use Excel and the Solver add-in to explore the effect of various resource constraints on the optimal product mix.

a. Read the article “Boost Profits With Excel,” by James A. Weisel, in the December 2003 issue of the Journal of Accountancy (available online at the AICPA’s website, http://www.journalofaccountancy.com).

b. Download the sample spreadsheet discussed in the article, and print out the screenshots showing that you used the Solver tool as discussed in the article.

c. Rerun the Solver program to determine the effect of the following actions on income

(print out the results of each option):

• Double market share limitations for all three products

• Double market share limitations for all three products plus the following constraint: sauce case sales cannot exceed 50% of the sum of soup and casserole case sales