Catalina Ortiz

$03$:$48$ PM

Allen Air Conditioning manufactures room air conditioners at plants in Houston, Phoenix, and Memphis. These are sent to regional distributors in Dallas, Atlanta, and Denver. The shipping costs vary, and the company would like to find the least cost way to meet the demands at each of the distribution centers. Dallas needs to receive $700$ air conditioners per month, Atlanta needs $600,$ and Denver needs $350.$ Houston has $850$ air conditioners available each month, Phoenix has $650,$ and Memphis has $300.$ The shipping cost per unit from Houston to Dallas is $$8,$ to Atlanta $$12,$ and to Denver $$10.$ The cost per unit from Phoenix to Dallas is $$10,$ to Atlanta $$14,$ and to Denver $$9.$ The cost per unit from Memphis to Dallas is $$11,$ to Atlanta $$8,$ and to Denver $$12.$

Based on the given demand and supply, the given transportation problem is$\_\_\_\_\_$

Before finding the initial solution, a dummy $\_\_\_\_$ should be introduced

The total cost of the optimal solution $$\_\_\_\_$