A nursing home employs attendants who are needed around the clock. Each attendant is paid the same, regardless of when his or her shift begins. Each shift is 8 consecutive hours. Shifts begin at 6 A.M., 10 A.M., 2 P.M., 6 P.M., 10 P.M., and 2 A.M. The following table shows the nursing home€™s requirements for the numbers of attendants to be on duty during specific time periods.

(a) What is the minimum number of attendants needed to satisfy the nursing home€™s requirements?
(b) The nursing home would like to use the same number of attendants determined in part (a) but would now like to minimize the total salary paid. Attendants are paid $16 per hour during 8 A.M.-8 P.M., and a 25% premium per hour during 8 F.M-8 A.M. How should the attendants now be scheduled?

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NUMBER OF SHIFT EATTENDANTS 2-6 A.M. 6-10 A.M. A.M-2 P.M. 2-6 P.M. 6-10 P.M. 27 12 23 29 23 c 10 10 P.M.-2 A.M.