During each four-hour period, the Smalltown police force requires the following number of on-duty police officers: eight from midnight to 4 a.m.; seven from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.; six from 8 a.m. to noon; six from noon to 4 p.m.; five from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and four from 8 p.m. to midnight. Each police officer works two consecutive four-hour shifts.

a. Determine how to minimize the number of police officers needed to meet Smalltown’s daily requirements.

b. Use SolverTable to see how the number of police officers changes as the number of officers needed from midnight to 4 a.m. changes.