Tharp Air Conditioning manufactures room air conditioners at plants in Montreal, Quebec City, and Ottawa. These are sent to regional distributors in Kingston, Fredericton, and North Bay. The shipping cost vary, and the company would like to find the least/cost way to meet the demands at each of the distributors centres.

Kingston needs to receive 800 air conditioners per month, Fredericton needs 600, and North Bay needs 200. Montreal has 850 air conditioners available each month, Quebec City has 650, and Ottawa had 300.

The shipping cost per unit from montreal to Kingston is $8, to Fredericton is $12, and to North Bay $10. The cost per unit from Quebec City to Kingston is $10, to Fredericton $14, and to North Bay $9. The cost per unit from Ottiwa to Kingston is $11, to Fredericton $8, and to North Bay $12.

(a) How many units should owner Devirah Tharp ship from each plant to eavh regional dustribution centre?

(b) What is the total transportation cost? (Note that a "dummy" destination is needed to balance the problem.)