In: Math
Western Family Steakhouse offers a variety of low-cost meals and quick service. Other than management, the steakhouse operates with two full-time employees who work 8 hours per day. The rest of the employees are part-time employees who are scheduled for 4-hour shifts during peak meal times. On Saturdays the steakhouse is open from 11:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Management wants to develop a schedule for part-time employees that will minimize labor costs and still provide excellent customer service. The average wage rate for the part-time employees is $7.60 per hour, but the temp agency managing the part time staff will charge the steakhouse one extra dollar per hour for shifts starting after 3:00 PM. The total number of full-time and part-time employees needed varies with the time of day as shown.
| Time | Total Number of Employees Needed |
| 11:00 a.m. - Noon | 9 |
| Noon - 1:00 p.m. | 9 |
| 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | 10 |
| 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | 3 |
| 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | 3 |
| 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | 4 |
| 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | 6 |
| 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | 12 |
| 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | 12 |
| 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | 7 |
| 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. | 7 |
One full-time employee comes on duty at 11:00 A.M., works 4 hours, takes an hour off, and returns for another 4 hours. The other full-time employee comes to work at 1:00 P.M. and works the same 4-hours-on, 1-hour-off, 4-hours-on pattern.
| Starting Time | Number of part- time employees (4-hour shifts) |
Number of part- time employees (3-hour shifts) |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 A.M. | ||
| 12:00 P.M. | ||
| 1:00 P.M. | ||
| 2:00 P.M. | ||
| 3:00 P.M. | ||
| 4:00 P.M. | ||
| 5:00 P.M. | ||
| 6:00 P.M. | ||
| 7:00 P.M. |