PM Computer Services assembles customized personal computers from generic parts. Formed and operated

by part$-$time UMass Lowell students Paulette Tyler and Maureen Becker, the company has had steady

growth since it started. The company assembles computers mostly at night, using part$-$time students.

Paulette and Maureen purchase generic computer parts in volume at a discount from a variety of sources

whenever they see a good deal. Thus, they need a good forecast of demand for their computers so that

they will know how many parts to purchase and stock. They have compiled demand data for the last $12$

months as reported below.

a$.$

Use exponential smoothing with smoothing parameter $\backslash$alpha $=0\mathrm{.}3$ to compute the demand forecast for January $($Period $13).$

b$.$

Use exponential smoothing with smoothing parameter $\backslash$alpha $=0\mathrm{.}5$ to compute the demand forecast for January $($Period $13).$

c$.$

Compute the mean squared error for each of the methods used.