This is a 3 part homework problem that I'm trying to understand the math behind: Part 1: based on the flows shown in the matrix, it is likely that the processes Materials and (blank) are in rooms next to each other as they have the highest number of moves between each other. Part 2: the second highest flow that exists between any two departments is (blank) units. Based on the given flows between processes, one should ensure that the processes Material and (blank) are in rooms next to each other as they have the second highest number of moves between them. Part 3: the cumulative distance based on the overall movement of material between processes for this layout is (blank) feet.

Roy Creasey Enterprises, a machine shop, is planning to move to a new, larger location. The new building will be 60 feet long by 40 feet wide. Creasey envisions the building as having six distinct production areas, roughly equal in size. He feels strongly about safety and intends to have marked pathways throughout the building to facilitate the movement of people and materials. See the following building schematic. Room Room Room 1 2 3 Room Room Room 4 5 6 His foreman has completed a month-long study of the number of loads of material that have moved from one process to another in the current building. This information is contained in the flow matrix on the left below. Finally, Creasey also developed a matrix to indicate distances between the work areas shown in the building schematic, shown on the right below. From To Materials Welding Drills Lathes Grinders Benders 1 2 3 4 5 6 20 40 20 40 60 Materials 0 100 55 C 45 20 40 20 40 Welding 30 0 0 50 60 40 20 Drills 25 0 0 0 20 40 Lathes 0 30 0 20 20 Grinders 45 0 70 Benders 15 0 20 Based on the flows shown in the matrix, it is likely that the processes Material and are in rooms next to each other as they have the highest number of moves between each other