Thompson Photo Works purchased several new, highly sophisticated processing machines. The production department needed some guidance with respect to qualifications needed by an operator. Is age a factor? Is the length of service as an operator (in years) important? In order to explore further the factors needed to estimate performance on the new processing machines, four variables were listed:

x₁ = Length of time an employee was in the industry

x₂ = Mechanical aptitude test score

x₃ = Prior on-the-job rating

x₄ = Age

Performance on the new machine is is designated y.

Thirty employees were selected at random. Data were collected for each, and their performances on the new machines were recorded. A few results are:

Performance on New Machine, Length of Time in Industry, Mechanical Aptitude Score, Prior On-the-Job Performance, Age,

Name y x₁x₂x₃x₄ Mike Miraglia 113 6 350 127 45

Sue Trythall 118 5 329 129 21

The equation is:

y

y^ = 10.9 + 0.4x₁ + 0.286x₂ + 0.712x₃ + 0.003x₄

a. As age increases by one year, how much does estimated performance on the new machine increase?

The estimated performane increases by_____

Carl Knox applied for a job at Photo Works. He has been in the business for 3 years and scored 360 on the mechanical aptitude test. Carl's prior on-the-job performance rating is 75, and he is 36 years old. Estimate Carl's performance on the new machine.

Estimated performane______