An operations analyst wants to identify the optimal nursing staff level $($FTE$\text{'}$s$)$ to

minimize total labor expenses for a health system, subject to requirements to

meet current and future levels of projected demand as well as meet minimum

regulatory requirements for staffing $($nurse to patient ratios$).$

A$.$ What is the objective function being optimized in this example?

B$.$ What is$/$are the decision variable$($s$)$ in this example?

C$.$ What is$/$are the relevant optimization constraint$($s$)$ in this example?

D$.$ Is an LP or IP optimization model more appropriate in this example? Why?

The strategic planning committee for a local health system is planning a major

expansion of primary care capabilities over the next $10$ year period. It wants to try

and identify tentative location$($s$)$ for these expansions $($physical facilities$)$ within

its primary care service area that will allow it to serve as many prospective

patients as possible within a $15$ minute drive of each expansion. It has allocated

a tentative budget of $$15$ million to finance these expansions.

A$.$ What is the objective function being optimized in this example?

B$.$ What is$/$are the decision variable$($s$)$ in this example?

C$.$ What is$/$are the relevant optimization constraint$($s$)$ in this example?

D$.$ Is an LP or IP optimization model more appropriate in this example? Why?