Your manager is trying to determine what forecasting method to use. Based upon the following historical data, calculate the following forecast and specify what procedure you would utilize.

MONTH	ACTUAL DEMAND
1	56
2	58
3	60
4	65
5	74
6	76
7	77
8	81
9	81
10	83
11	85
12	86

a. Calculate the simple three-month moving average forecast for periods 412. (Round your answers to 3 decimal places.)

b. Calculate the weighted three-month moving average for periods 412 using weights of 0.40 (for the period t1); 0.50 (for the period t2), and 0.10 (for the period t3). (Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answers to 1 decimal place.)

c. Calculate the single exponential smoothing forecast for periods 212 using an initial forecast (F₁) of 54 and an of 0.10. (Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answers to 3 decimal places.)

d. Calculate the exponential smoothing with trend component forecast for periods 212 using an initial trend forecast (T₁) of 1.50, an initial exponential smoothing forecast (F₁) of 58, an of 0.10, and a of 0.40. (Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answers to 3 decimal places.)

e-1. Calculate the mean absolute deviation (MAD) for the forecasts made by each technique in periods 412. (Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answers to 3 decimal places.)

e-2. Which forecasting method is best?

• Three-month moving average

• Exponential smoothing with trend forecast

• Three-Month Weighted Moving Average

• Single exponential smoothing forecast