Question:$($USE EXCEL$)$

Given the following demand data

Part $1$: Compute a weighted average forecast using a weight of $\mathrm{.}30$ for the most recent period, $\mathrm{.}20$ for the next most recent, $\mathrm{.}10$ for the next, and $\mathrm{.}40$ for the next. $(5$ points$)$

Part $2$: If the actual demand for period $6$ is $39,$ forecast demand for period $7$ using the same weights as in part $1.(5$ points$)$

Part $3$: Why does moving average methods including simple exponential smoothing work better for this technique, why does linear trend or regression technique does not work here? Explain $(2$ points$)$

Part $4$: Please use simple exponential forecasting to find forecast for period $6.$ Where the value of alpha is equal to $0\mathrm{.}3$ and forecast in period $2$ is $41.(8$ points$)$

Figure $1$: Demand Data

$\backslash$table$[[$Period$,$Demand$],[1,42],[2,40],[3,43],[4,40],[5,41]]$