A manufacturer wishes to make two different bronze alloys in a metal foundry. The quantities of copper, tin, and zinc needed are indicated in matrix M. The costs for these materials (in dollars per pound) from two suppliers are summarized in matrix N. The company must choose one supplier or the other.

(A) Discuss possible interpretations of the elements in the matrix products MN and NM.

(B) If either product MN or NM has a meaningful interpretation, find the product and label its rows and columns.

(C) Discuss methods of matrix multiplication that can be used to determine the supplier that will provide the necessary materials at the lowest cost.

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Copper Tin Zinc 300 lb] Alloy 1 700 lb] Alloy 2 4,800 lb 600 lb M = 6,000 lb 1,400 lb Supplier A Supplier B $0.75 $0.70 Сорper N = $6.50 $6.70 Tin $0.40 $0.50 Zinc