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Business Mathematic

Applications of Mathematics in Business

Introduction

Mathematicians, economists, statisticians and others have applied their skills to manage problems for many years. The first concerted and dramatically successful effort in their areas occurred during World War II when specialists were formed into operations analysis groups to assist in planning military operations. These analysts used mathematics and statistics extensively in their studies, and their resulting recommendations were an important contribution to the war effort. Following the war, analysts, soon joined by others, turned their attention and their new techniques to attacking problems of manage mental operations. They accomplished major improvement in inventory control, quality control, warehouse location, industrial operations, agriculture, purchasing decisions, scheduling complex tasks and a variety of others.

A Real World Case

Food is related to the primary needs of human being. To fulfill this need we cultivate different types of crops and make a variety of foods such as bread, biscuits, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and different sorts of junk foods. For making these foods many restaurants, hotels, bakeries etc. are established in a large number.

A few days back, we visited such a type of food making factory to gather different information of their production to apply mathematical calculations which we learnt from our course- ‘Business Mathematics I.’ When we visited the factory we were welcomed warmly by its’ owner and workers. They helped us by giving a variety of information we asked them.

A brief description of the factory and information supplied by its’ owner and workers are given below:

  1      Name of the factory: Rana Bread

  2      Address: 10/B Vagalpur Lane, Hazaribag, Dhaka-1209

  3      Owner: Md. Ariful Qader Rana

  4      Date of establishment: November 2

5       Type of business: Small industry

  6       Fixed Cost:

Description

 

Amount (Tk.)

Land 50000
Machinery 40000
Equipment 20000
Vehicle 24000
Building 14000
Gas line  5200
Others 1300
Total 154500

 7   Variable cost per unit: Tk. 5

  8   Selling price per unit: Tk. 15

  9   Financing method:

Description Amount (Tk.)
Own 54500
Loan from relatives 40000
Bank loan 60000
Total 154500

 → Loan from relatives is @ 10% simple interest

→ Bank loan is @ 12% compound interest

  10   Units sold (last 6 months):

Name of the month Units
November 2009 16000
December 2009 17500
January 2010 18000
February 2010 20000
March 2010 22000
April 2010 25000
Total 118500

 → 8% of the volume of sales is selling expense.

11.     Usage of gas ( last 6 months):

Name of the month Cu.Feet Units
November 2009 1600 16
December 2009 1700 17
January 2010 1800 18
February 2010 2000 20
March 2010 2200 22
April 2010 2500 25
Total 11800 118

→ Rana Bread took the gas line from Titas Gas Co. which charges its’ customers- Tk. 350 as customer charge; Tk. 2.5 per unit (100 cubic feet) for the first 20 units; and Tk. 1.25 per unit each unit over 20.

12.  Depreciation of machinery: Rana Bread depreciates its’ machinery in value 10% applied to the original

13.  Depreciation of equipment: Rana  Bread depreciates its’ equipment in value, 15% in November 2009,               12.5%   in December 2009, 10% in January 2010 and so on; all percentages applying to the original cost.

After visiting Rana Bread we came to know about some important information on how one can make his/her desire come true. Rana Bread, though established a few months ago, is running its’ production and marketing activities quite impressively and making profit in an increasing percentage.

Application of mathematics in Rana Bread

There is currently a strong trend toward incorporating technology into the teaching of mathematics. Electronic tools include basic calculators, programmable calculators,  graphic  calculators and computer algebra system (CAS). The  effective use of this technology allows the individual to focus more on application, problem formulation, and the interpretation of numerical and graphical results.

As we said earlier, our main aim is to apply mathematics in business to implement our theoretical knowledge practically, so now we are trying our best to apply different mathematical terms in the information of Rana Bread which we got during the our visit to it.

Break-even interpretation I

From the case e came to know that,

                Fixed cost= Tk.154500

                Variable cost= Tk. 5 per unit

                Selling price= Tk. 15 per unit

We denote the number (quantity) of breads made and sold by q. Then since bread are sold at Tk.15 per unit, the revenue function is

                                                R (q) = 15q

Now since the variable cost per unit is Tk.5, the variable cost of making q units will be 5q. Adding the fixed cost of Tk. 154500, the cost function becomes

                                                C (q) = 5q+154500

Lastly, since profit is revenue minus cost, the profit function is

                                                      P (q) = R (q) – C (q)

                                                                 = 15q – (5q + 154500)

                                                                 = 10q -154500

Notice that the coefficient 10 of q represents the profit per unit and is precisely the difference between the selling price per unit of Tk.15 and the variable cost per unit of Tk. 5. Similarly, the constant term of

-154500 indicates that the manufacturer has to produce and sell enough units of breads to compensate for the fixed cost of Tk.154500 before breaking even.

One way for the owner of a business to make sure he/she is making a profit is to first analyze the circumstances necessary to break even (i.e. neither make a profit nor suffer a loss). Then the owner can develop a plan to do better than break-even (i.e. make a profit). Now to break-even simply means the revenues must equal costs, so since

                                                                Profit = Revenue – Cost

Then at break-even

Revenue = Cost

Means that

                                                                Profit = 0

 So, at break-even profit will be 0. Thus

                                                                     P (q) = 0

                                                                → 10q – 154500 = 0

                                                                → q = 154500÷10 units

                                                                → q = 15450 units

Finally, the break-even taka volume of sales  (revenue) is

                                                                R (15450) = 15×15450

                                                                                    = Tk. 231750

Break-even chart I

Returning to the revenue and cost functions of Rana Bread,

                R (q) = 15q and C (q) = 5q+154500

And plotting these in the usual manner, we obtain the graphs in Figure-1. Observe that the revenue line goes through the origin and the cost line has a y-intercept of Tk. 154500.

Figure-1

The dotted horizontal line shows that the fixed cost is constant at all levels of operation of the factory. The variable cost which is the 5q in the cost function is the vertical distance from the fixed cost line to the total cost line; it increases as more units are produced. To the left of the break-even point (15450, Tk. 231750), the cost line is above the revenue line; the vertical separation at any points represents the associated loss. On the other hand, to the right of the break-even point (15450, Tk.231750), the vertical separation represents the associated profit.

Break-even interpretation II

Production managers and other operations executives tend to think of break-even analysis in the way that we presented in the previous section. Controllers and other financial managers are more likely to think in accounting terms. To illustrate this latter way of viewing break-even, we shall consider that Rana Bread produces and sells its’ bread at a price that is presumably above the cost.

From the case of Rana Bread stated earlier we came to know that

                                Total cost = Fixed cost + Variable cost

                                                    = 154500+5(118500)

                                                    = 747000

                                Total selling price = 15×118500

                                                                   =1777500

As we know that mark-up is the difference between the selling price and the cost, so

                                Mark-up = Selling price – cost

                                                  =1777500-747000

                                                  =10305000

Now, as margin is the mark-up as a percentage of the selling price, so margin of Rana Bread will be

                                Margin  = Mark-up ÷ Selling price

                                                =10305000 ÷ 1777500

                                    =0.58 or 58%

This means that 58% of the selling price of Tk. 1777500 is margin, and the other 42% of Tk. 1777500 which is,

                                                0.42×1777500=746550,

                                                                                                is the cost.

We, now, suppose that Rana Bread uses a margin of 58% on all items it produces, so that if it sells Tk.s – worth of products, 58% of this amount is margin and 42% is the cost.

Thus,

                                Cost of goods sold = 0.42s

In the case

                                Selling expense  = 8% of sales

                                                                = 0.08

                                Fixed cost = 154500

So the total cost function is

                                                                C(s) = 0.42s+0.08s+154500

                                                                        =0.50s+154500

Now, if Rana Bread sells Tk.s –worth of products, its’ revenue will clearly be the same Tk.s. So that the revenue function is

                                                R(s) = s

Since profit is still revenue minus cost, the profit function is

                                                P(s)  = R(s)-C(s)

                                                        = s-(0.50s+154500)

                                                        = 0.50s-154500

Notice that the coefficient 0.50 of s represents the profit per taka of sales, it is precisely the difference between each Tk. 1.00 of sales and the associated Tk.0.50 cost per taka of sales. Alternatively, the 0.50 can be viewed as the difference between the Tk. 0.58 margin per taka of sales and the Tk. 0.08 selling expense per taka of sales. As before, the constant term of -154500 indicates that Rana Bread has to sell Tk. 154500 worth of products to compensate for the fixed cost of Tk. 154500.

Now, as before, break-even will occur when profit is 0. That is

                                                                    P(s) = 0

                                                                →0.50s-154500=0

                                                                →s=309000

 So, Rana Bread must target a sales of at least Tk. 309000 just to be assured of breaking even.

Break-even chart II

Returning to the revenue and cost functions of Rana Bread

                                                R(s)=s and C(s)=0.50s+154500

and plotting this in the usual manner, we obtain the graphs in Figure-2.

Revenue & CostFigure-2

The point of intersection (Tk. 309000, Tk. 309000) of revenue function R(s) and the cost function C(s) establishes the break-even level of sales. The separation of lines to the right of break-even indicates profit. On the other hand, the separation of lines to the left of break-even shows loss.

Piecewise linear functions

Sometimes an equation will consist of more than one section or piece, each of which is linear. For example,

                                          x    ;     x≤0

                                y=   2x   ;     x>0

describes a  function composed of two linear pieces, the first being x for all values of x≤0, and the second being 2x for all values of x>0. Such a function is a piecewise linear function and its’ graph is shown in Figure-3.

Figure-3

The charge for the first 20 units consists of the Tk. 350 customer charge plus the Tk. 2.5 charge per unit. Letting u represent the number of units used, this charge becomes

                                2.5u+350…………………….(1)

Now if Rana Bread uses more than 20 units, the charge from (1) for the first 20 units will be

                                2.5(20)+350=400

To this must be added the charge of Tk. 1.25 for each unit over 20, resulting in a charge of

                                   400+1.25(u-20)

                                = 400+1.25u-25

=1.25u+375……………………                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Putting (1) and (2) together, we get the cost function

                                                C(u) = 2.5u+350;     0≤u≤20

                             C(u)=   1.25u+375;     u>20

          Figure-4 graphs this function.Figure-4

Cost of November 2009, when 16 (<20) units of gas were used,

                                C(u)     = 2.5u+350

                                                =2.5(16)+350

                                                =40+350

                                                =390

Cost of December 2009, when 17 (<20) units of gas were used,

                                C (u)    =2.5u+350

                                                =2.5(17)+350

                                                =42.5+350

                                                =392.50

Cost of January 2010, when 18 (<20) units of gas were used,

                                C (u)    =2.5u+350

                                                =2.5(18)+350

                                                =45+350

                                                =395

Cost of February 2010, when 20 (=20) units of gas were used,

                                C (u)    = 2.5u+350

                                                =2.5(20)+350

                                                =50+350

                                                =400

Cost of March 2010, when 22 (>20) units of gas were used,

                                C (u)    =1.25u+375

                                                =1.25(22)+375

                                                =27.5+375

                                    =402.50

Cost of April 2010, when 25 (>20) units of gas were used,

                                C (u)    =1.25u+375

                                                =1.25(25)+375

                                                =31.25+375

                                                =406.25

Now potting these costs of last six months of Rana Bread we find the graphs in Fgure-5 which is a graph of piecewise linear functions.Figure-5

Simple interest  

In the case of Rana Bread stated earlier the owner has taken a loan of Tk. 40000 @ 10% in the month of November 2009 from his relatives.

Here

Amount of loan (P) = 40000

Interest rate (i) = 10% or 0.10

Time passed (n) = 6 months

                                =6/12

                                =0.50

So, the amount with interest to be paid if the loan is returned at the end of April 2010.

                                           A = P (1+in)

                                                =40000 (1+0.10×0.50)

                                                =40000 (1.05)

                                                =42000

Interest of last six months (Nov.’09-April ’10)

                                                   A-P

                                                = 42000-40000

                                                =2000

and interest of each month

                                                Interest ÷Time passed

                                                = 2000÷6

                                                            =333.33

Compound interest

In the case of Rana Bread stated earlier the owner has also taken a loan of Tk. 60000 @ 12% at the same time from the bank.

Here

                         Amount of loan (P) = 60000

                         Interest rate (i) = 12% or 0.12

 For the month of November 2009

                                           P = 60000

                                                i= 0.12

                                                n = 1/12 or 0.08

                Net amount, A = P (1+0.12)n

                                           =60000(1+0.12)0.08

                                               =60546

  Interest =60546-60000

                                    =546

For the month of December 2009

                                P = 60546

                                i = 0.12

                                n= 0.08

                Net amount, A = 60546 (1+0.12)0.08

                                               = 61097

                Interest = 61097-60546

                          = 551

For the month of January 2010

                P= 61097

             i=0.12

             n=0.08

             Net amount, A= 61097(1+0.12)0.08

                                           =61653

             Interest =61653-61097

                           =556

 For the month of February 2010

             P=61653

             i= 0.12

             n=0.08

            Net amount, A = 61653(1+0.12)0.08

                                           =62215

            Interest = 62215-61653

                          =562

 For the month of March 2010

            P=62215

            i=0.12

            n=0.08

            Net amount, A =62215(1+0.12)0.08

                                           =62782

            Interest =62782-62215

               =567

For the month of April 2010

            P=62782

            i=0.12

            n=0.08

            Net amount, A=62782(1+0.12)0.08

                                              =63354

           Interest = 63354-62782

                         =572

Salvage value

 Rana Bread uses machinery for its’ production. The machinery has a

                                     Cost (C) = 40000

                                     Depreciation rate (d) = 10% or 0.10

                                     Depreciation period (n) = 6 months

                                                                                    = 6/12 or 0.50

 So, after six months the salvage value of the machinery used by Rana Bread will be

                                                S = C (1-d)n

                                                =40000 (1-0.10)0.50

                                                =40000 (0.90)0.50

                                                =37947.33

                                                =37947

So, if the machinery of Rana Bread is sold right now (i.e. after being used for six months) the salvage value of the machinery would be Tk. 37947.

Arithmetic progression

An arithmetic progression is a sequence whose terms increase or decrease by a constant number called the common difference. A series in arithmetic progression thus becomes an additive series in which the common difference can be found by subtracting each term from its’ preceding one.

Thus if the first term and the common difference are known, the A.P. is completely known.

                The arithmetic progression

                                                                a, (a+d), (a+2d), (a+3d),…………………

whose first term is a the common difference is d, is designated as the standard form of an arithmetic progression.

                The corresponding arithmetic series

                                                                a+(a+d)+(a+2d)+(a+3d)+…………………….

is designated as the standard form of an arithmetic series.

A.P. in Rana Bread

Suppose the cost of the equipment used by Rana Bread is Tk. 100. Now the percentages of depreciation at the end of November 2009, December 2009, January 2010 and so on are respectively 15, 12.5, 10,…………. which are arithmetic progression with

                                                                a = 15

                                                                d = 12.5-15 = -2.5

                                                                n = 6

Hence, percentages of depreciation in April 2010,

                                                                a+ (n-1)d

                                                                = 15+(6-1)(-2.5)

                                                                = 15+5(-2.5)

                                                                = 15-12.5

                                                                = 2.5

So, the A.P. series of depreciation of equipment for six months

                                                15+12.5+10+…………+2.5

Also, total value of equipment depreciated in six months

                                                   n/2 (a+l)

                                                = 6/2 (15+2.5)

                                                = 3 × 17.5

                                                = 52.5

Hence, the value of equipment of Rana Bread at the end of April 2010

                                                   100-52.5

                                                = 47.5

Now the total cost being Tk. 20000, the value of Rana Breads’ equipment at the end of April 2010

                                                   (Tk. 20000÷100)×47.5

                                                = Tk. 9500

Conclusion

Mathematics, an ancient method of calculation, can be used by any one in solving different types of problems. As technology is developing very fast different applications of mathematics now can be done easily within a very short time using modern calculating devices. Whereas, the typical mathematics takes a longer time than the modern devices take. Although we can do our necessary calculations using modern calculating devices, we should try to know and use the typical mathematical terms to enrich our mathematical knowledge.

Mathematics in Business

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