Problem $2(27$ points$)$

Heart Start produces automated external defibrillators $($AEDs$)$ in each of two different plants $($A

and B$).$ The AEDs are sold through three wholesalers. The shipping cost per unit distributed

along with the monthly demand from each wholesaler $($warehouse$)$ and monthly production from

each plant are indicated in the table below. The total demand exceeds the total supply, so$,$ a

dummy source is added in the table below to ship the excess demand. How many AEDs should

be distributed to each of the wholesaler warehouses to minimize the total cost?

$($a$)(9$ pts$.)$ Find an initial basic feasible solution using the Northwest Corner rule.

$($b$)(18$ pts$.)$ Solve the problem using the transportation simplex algorithm starting with the

initial basic feasible solution found in $($a$).$