Suppose you have three shipments to make. One shipment has a weight of 3,800 pounds, the second weighs 8,500 pounds, and the third weighs 12,300 pounds. The transportation rates are: $16/cwt (1 cwt. = 100 pounds). for shipments of 1,0005,000 pounds, $14/cwt. for 5,00010,000 pounds, and $12/cwt. for shipments over 10,000 pounds. For consolidated shipments, there is a charge of $280 per stop.

a. Calculate the three individual shipments and consolidated shipments.

b. What will be the cost difference if you choose to consolidate the shipments rather than to ship each one individually?