Master of Business Administration

Semester 2
Subject Code: MB0048
Subject: Operations Research
Marks: 140
Model Question Paper
Part A - 1 marks question ( Question 1 to 40)

Q.
No.
1.

When
a. a team of scientists from different disciplines work together for finding the best possible solution in the
interest of the organisation as a whole then the solution thus obtained is called ______________________.

2.

a. Feasible solution
b. Optimum strategy
c. Optimal decision
d. Quantitative solution
______________________ has several objective functions, each having a target value.

3.

4.

5.

a. Queuing model
b. Linear programming
c. Goal programming
d. Inventory control method
In linear programming we need to ensure that both the objective function and the constraints can be expressed as
linear expressions of _________________.
a. Objective function
b. Decision variables
c. Constraints
d. Basic variables
Both objective functions and constraints can be expressed as ____________________.
a. Linear equalities
b. Non-linear equalities
c. Linear inequalities
d. Non-linear inequalities
When a linear programming problem is represented in the canonical form, the minimisation of a function is
mathematically equivalent to the ________________________ of this function.
a. Maximisation of the negative expression
b. Minimisation of the negative expression
c. Minimisation of the positive expression
d. Maximisation of the positive expression

6.

When a linear programming problem is represented in the canonical form, all constraints are of ________ type.
a. =
b.
c.
d.

7.

The feasible region has an important property which is called the _________________ of geometry, provided the
feasible solution of for the problem exists.
a. Non-convexity property
b. Convexity property
c. Edge-transitive
d. Vertex-transitive

8.

The objective function is maximised or minimised at one of the _________________ referred to as optimum
solution.
a. Vertex
b. Extreme points
c. Boundary
d. Interior point

9.

At least one corner of the region of _______________ will be an optimal solution whenever the maximum or
minimum value of z is finite.
a. Infeasible solution
b. Alternative solution
c. Feasible solution
d. Unbounded solution

10.

11.

To obtain inequality constraints introduce _________ variables (Sis) for <= type of constraint.
a. Stack
b. Surplus
c. Slack
d. artificial
The new system after adding artificial variable is equivalent to the old system of constraints only if the artificial
variables are valued at ________.
a. One
b. Three
c. Two
d. Zero

12.

The variables assigned the value zero are called ________________.

13.

a. Non-basic variables
b. Basic variables
c. Surplus variables
d. Slack variables
When the primal problem has a degenerate optimal solution, the dual has ________________ solutions.

14.

a. Degenerate
b. Infeasible
c. Unbounded
d. Multiple optimal
For long term planning, it is important to know the bounds within which each available resource can vary, without
causing drastic changes in the current ______________ solution.
a. Non optimal
b. Degenerate
c. Optimal
d. Unbounded

15.

Identify which among the following in the objective function of the primal become constants in the objective function
of the dual.
a. Constants
b. Coefficients
c. () type of constraints
d. () type of constraints

16.

The unit cost to ship from each source to each destination is written in the ____________________ corner of the
cell in the matrix.
a. Lower-right-hand
b. Lower-left-hand
c. Upper-right-hand
d. Upper-left-hand

17.

A ___________ is the sequence of cells in the transportation table such that no cell appears more than once in the
sequence.
a. Loop
b. Rim
c. Degeneracy
d. Transportation problem

18.

Identify in which among the following methods does a row or column difference indicate the minimum unit penalty
incurred by failing to make an allocation to the least cost cell in that row or column.
a. Matrix minima method
b. MODI method
c. Vogels approximation method
d. North-west corner rule

19.

__________________ applies the concept of opportunity costs.

20.

a. Path-following algorithm
b. Criss-cross algorithm
c. Assignment algorithm
d. Ellipsoid algorithm
In infeasible assignment problem _______ value is assigned to the cells.

21.

a.
b. 1
c. 0
d. -1
If there are three workers in a construction field all with different ability and three tasks are to be completed, then it
is an example of _________________.
a. Linear programming problem
b. Transportation problem
c. Balanced assignment problem
d. Unbalanced assignment problem

22.

_____________ means that only one person would join the queue, but demand service on behalf of several
customers.
a. Balking
b. Reneging
c. Collusion
d. Jockeying

23.

____________ is a rule wherein customer is allowed to enter into the service immediately after entering into the
system.
a. FIFO
b. LIFO
c. Priority service
d. Preemptive priority

24.

When the customer arrivals are completely random, the ____________ is followed.
a. Deterministic model
b. Statistical model
c. Poisson distribution
d. Probability concept

25.

Because of the random nature of the processes involved, the queuing theory is rather demanding and all models
are based on very strong _____________.
a. Facts
b. Theory
c. Assumptions
d. Simulation

26.

Average number of customers in the system is represented in queuing system as ______________.

27.

a. E(m)
b. E(w)
c. E(v)
d. E(n)
With respect to the notations used in Queuing theory "V" refers to ______________________.

28.

a. Service time
b. Waiting time in the queue
c. Waiting time in the queue + service time
d. Waiting time of customers
A _____________ is characterised by the minimum permissible number of customers that it can contain.

29.

a. Queue discipline
b. Service rate
c. Service time
d. Queue
The _______________ assumes that arrivals join a queue that is of unlimited size, waiting in line until their turn for
service comes on a first-cum-first-serve basis and then enter a service facility consisting of a single channel.
a. Waiting line
b. LCLS
c. Simplest waiting line model
d. FSFC

30.

Lending system in a library is an example of ____________________ waiting line.

a. Simplest waiting line
b. Single facility waiting channel
c. Multiple channel
d. Parallel facility

31.

A ____________ involves several variables making it impossible to determine the number of trials required to
obtain the desired accuracy at a specified confidence level.
a. Analytical model
b. Quantitative model
c. Mathematical model
d. Simulation model

32.

Operation starts with an arbitrary ___________ integer called the seed.

a. Two digit
b. Four digit
c. Five digit
d. Three digit

33.

The accuracy associated with simulation improves as the ___________ of the number of trials.
a. Thrice
b. Twice
c. Cube root
d. Square root

34.

The technique of Monte Carlo involves the selection of _____________ observations within the simulation model.
a. Random
b. Discrete
c. Sequential
d. Indiscrete

35.

The study of complicated systems or sub-systems can be done with the help of _____________.
a. Queuing method
b. Game theory
c. Linear programming method
d. Simulation

36.

Simulation has been described as _______________.

a. What to do
b. Why to do
c. What to do when all else fails
d. How to do

37.

PERT is basically ____________ method.

a. Size-oriented
b. Scale-oriented
c. Time-oriented
d. Time and size oriented

38.

PERT is used for projects involving activities of _____________ nature.

39.

a. Continuous
b. Non-repetitive
c. Repetitive
d. Scant
John Von Neuman developed the ___________ in the year 1928.

40.

a. Game theory
b. Simulation theory
c. Queuing theory
d. Monte Carlo analysis
In a two-person zero-sum game, if the maximin and the minimax are equal, the game has a _______________
point.
a. Equal
b. Tip
c. Belt
d. Saddle

Part B - 2 marks question ( Question 41 to 60)

41. Consider the below mentioned statements:

1. OR scrutinises the problem from an organisations perspective.

2. OR techniques can be used in agriculture to increase agricultural output.
State True or False:

42.

43.

a. 1-True, 2-true
b. 1-False, 2-True
c. 1-False, 2-False
d. 1-True, 2-False
________________ phase deals with formulation of the problems relative to the objectives. _________________
phase deals with formulation of hypothesis and model.
a. Judgement, Research
b. Research, Judgement
c. Judgement, Action
d. Research, Action
Consider the below mentioned statements:
1. Parameters appearing in the linear programming model are assumed to be deterministic.
2. To solve large-scale problems using linear programming, break the main problem into several small problems
and then solve them separately.
State True or False:
a. 1-True, 2-True
b. 1-False, 2-True
c. 1-False, 2-False
d. 1-True, 2-False

44. In which of the following examples the linear programming technique can be used?
1. In problems where objective functions are linear
2. In distribution problems
3. In getting integer valued solutions
4. In problems where objective functions are non-linear
a. Options 1 & 2
b. Options 1 & 3
c. Options 2 & 3
d. Options 2 & 4

45. In three-dimensional space and higher, the circles become ____________ and __________________.

46.

47.

48.

a. Hyper-spheres, semi-circles
b. Spheres, semi-spheres
c. Spheres, hyper-spheres
d. Hyper-spheres, semi-spheres
Which of the following statements of theorems are used while solving the linear programming problems
graphically?
1. The collection of all feasible solutions to an LPP problem constitutes a convex set whose extreme points
correspond to the basic feasible solutions.
2. If the convex set of the feasible solutions of the system of simultaneous equation is a convex polyhedron, then at
least one of the extreme points gives an optimal solution.
3. A curve in a two dimensional space is best represented by the parametric equations like x(t) and y(t).
4. Optima of unconstrained problems are found at stationary points, where the first derivative or the gradient of the
objective function is zero
a. Options 1 & 2
b. Options 2 & 3
c. Options 3 & 4
d. Options 1 & 4
Artificial variables are incorporated into the objective function with ____________________ coefficient M in the
minimisation program and __________________ coefficientM in the maximisation program guaranteeing that the
artificial variable takes the zero value in optimal solutions.
a. Very small positive, very large negative
b. Very large positive, very small negative
c. Very large negative, very large positive
d. Very large positive, very large negative
Consider the below mentioned statements:
1. The Simplex method optimises the objective of maximisation or minimisation with the constraints of the new
problem.
2. If a feasible solution is arrived, the optimal value of the new objective function is more than zero.
State True or False:
a. 1-True, 2-True
b. 1-False, 2-True
c. 1-False, 2-False
d. 1-True, 2-False

49. State whether the following statements are true or false.

1. For any pair of feasible primal and dual solutions, (objective value in the maximisation problem) (objective
value in the minimisation problem).
2. The dual variables 'yi' that represent the worth per unit of resource 'i' are also called as dual prices, shadow
prices and simplex multipliers.
a. 1-True, 2-True
b. 1-False, 2-True
c. 1-False, 2-False
d. 1-True, 2-False

50. Which among the following linear programmings parameters when changed causes changes in the optimal
solution?
1. Objective function coefficient of a non-basic variable
2. Coefficients in the objective function of the primal
3. Objective function coefficient of a non-basic variable
4. Constants in the constraints of the primal

51.

52.

a. Statements 1 & 3
b. Statements 2 & 4
c. Statements 1 & 2
d. Statements 3 & 4
The capacity of each source is shown at the __________ of each row, and each destination is written under its
corresponding column. These capacities and demands are known as ___________ conditions.
a. End, Rim
b. End, Loop
c. Top, Rim
d. Top, Loop
All the values of ij = Cij - ui - vj should be ___________ or ___________ for the solution to be optimum.
a. Non-zero, Negative
b. Positive, Negative
c. Zero, Positive
d. Zero, Negative

53. The travelling salesman problem is defined as _________________________________.

th

a. xijk= if k is directed from city i to city k

th
b. xijk=0 if k is directed from city i to city j
th
c. xijk=-1 if k is directed from city j to city k
th
d. xijk=1 if k is directed from city i to city j

54. Network scheduling is a technique for ____________ and __________________ of large projects.
a. Scheduling, Integrating
b. Planning, Scheduling
c. Integrating, Implementing
d. Planning, Integrating

55. The number of customers in queue and also those being served in the queue relate to the ____________
efficiency and ______________.
a. Facility, Queue length
b. Service, Capacity
c. Server, Capacity
d. Facility, Capacity

56. A queuing model has which of the following operating characteristics which enables us to understand and
efficiently manage a queue?
1. Queue length
2. Number of customers in system
3. Service facility
4. Capacity
a. Option 1 & 4
b. Option 2 & 4
c. Option 2 & 3
d. Option 1 & 2

57. Service systems are usually classified in terms of their number of _________, or numbers of _____________.
a. Queue, Customers
b. Channels, Servers
c. Servers, Customers
d. Channels, Queue

58. Consider the following statements:

1. H = Average number of units being serviced.
2. L = Average number of units waiting for services.
State true or false.
a. 1-True, 2-True
b. 1-False, 2-True
c. 1-False, 2-False
d. 1-True, 2-False

59. The overall efficiency ____________ of the system will increase with the number of service channels_________
provided.
a. M , F
b. F, M
c. H, U
d. F, T

60. A simulation model involves several variables making it ____________ to determine the _____________ required
to obtain the desired accuracy at a specified confidence level.
a. Impossible, Number of errors
b. Impossible, Number of trails
c. Possible, Number of trails
d. Possible, Number of errors

Part C - 4 marks question ( Question 61 to 75)

61. A production manager of a manufacturing organisation is asked to manage and optimise the utilisation of the
resources. He/she has to deal with all the aspects of buying like when to buy, how much to buy, etc. Which of the
following tools or techniques of OR should be used?
a. Linear programming
b. Inventory control methods
c. Transportation model
d. Goal programming

62. Consider the below mentioned statements:

1. The telephone industry is an example where linear programming model can be applied.
2. The user of linear programming technique becomes more subjective and less objective.
3. Linear programming can be used to determine the quantities of each product that should be produced, given the
present profit margin on each product.
4. Linear programming can be used to determine the proper mix of media to use in an advertising campaign.
State True or False:

63.

a. Statements 1, 2 and 4 are true

b. Statements 1, 2 and 3 are true
c. Statements 2, 3 and 4 are true
d. Statements 1, 3 and 4 are true
Assume that you are working in a company consisting of four departments. The four departments produce four
different but inter-related type of products. The manager feels that all the resources are not utilised properly. Given
that the objective is single, you are asked to give a suggestion for maximum utilisation of the resources and
overcome all the bottlenecks in an efficient way. Which of the following programming technique will you use to
solve the problem?
a. Goal programming
b. Quadratic programming
c. Linear programming
d. Non-linear programming

64. Match the following sets:

Part A
1. Multiple optimal solutions
2. Unbounded solution
3. The objective function
4. Well-behaved problems
Part B
A. When the values of the decision variables may be increased indefinitely without violating any of the constraints
B. Represented by a line or a plane
C. Have a solution
D. When the objective function is parallel to a binding constraint
a. 1D, 2A, 3B, 4C
b. 1A, 2D, 3B, 4C
c. 1B, 2A, 3D, 4C
d. 1B, 2C, 3A, 4D

65. Consider the following statements:

1. In penalty cost method M is eliminated.
2. Whenever artificial variables are part of the initial solution X0, the last row of simplex table will contain the
penalty cost M
3. Simplex method is also known as penalty cost method.
4. If the optimal value of the new objective function is zero, it means there is no solution to the problem and the
method terminates.
State True or False:
a. Statements 1, 2 & 3 are true
b. Statements 1, 3 & 4 are true
c. Statements 1, 3 & 4 are false
d. Statements 1, 2 & 3 are false

66. Write the dual of

Min Z = 13x1 + 14x2
Subject to 6x1 + 4x2 20
x1 + x2 5
x1 0
x2 is unrestricted in sign
a. Max W = 20y1 + 5y2
Subject to
6y1 - y2 13
4y1 - y2 = 14
y1 0
y2 is unrestricted in sign
b. Max W = 20y1 - 5y2
Subject to
6y1 - y2 13
4y1 - y2 = 14
y1 0
y2 is unrestricted in sign
c. Max W = 20y1 - 5y2
Subject to
6y1 - y2 13
4y1 - y2 = 14
y1 0
y2 is unrestricted in sign
d. Max W = 20y1 - 5y2
Subject to
6y1 - y2 13
4y1 - y2 14
y1 0
y2 is unrestricted in sign

67. Consider the below mentioned statements:

1. The negative variables are augmented by as many zero-valued variables as it is necessary to complete m+n-1
basic variables.
2. The extremely small value is infinitely small and it never affects the value it is added to or subtracted from.
3. The selected zero valued variables are designated by allocating an extremely small positive value to each one
of them.
4. Introduce '' in unallocated minimum cost cell to avoid forming a loop.
State True or False:
a. Statements 1, 2 and 4 are true, 3 is false
b. Statements 1, 2 and 3 are true, 4 is false
c. Statements 2, 3 and 4 are true, 1 is false
d. Statement 1, 3 and 4 are true, 2 is false

68. Consider the following statements and state true or false according to a typical network problem.
1. It involves finding route from one node to another between which alternative paths are available at various
stages of the journey.
2. It should select the route that yields minimum cost.
3. A number of different constraints may be placed on acceptable routes for instance, not returning to the node
passed or passing through each node just once.
4. A sales person can travel to only one city.
State True or False:
a. Statements 1, 2 & 3 are true
b. Statements 1, 3 & 4 are true
c. Statements 1, 3 & 4 are false
d. Statements 1, 2 & 3 are false

69. Match the following sets:

Part A
1. Service facility
2. Queuing system
3. Multiple channels
4. Static queuing discipline
Part B
A. Arrival pattern, service facility and queue discipline
B. Availability of service, number of service centres and duration of service
C. Customer status
D. Series or parallel
a. 1D, 2A, 3B, 4C
b. 1A, 2D, 3B, 4C
c. 1B, 2A, 3D, 4C
d. 1B, 2C, 3A, 4D

70. The Airline ticket counter is manned by a single clerk, who takes an average of 5 minutes to issue ticket. The
customers arrive once in every 8 minutes on an average. One hour of customer is valued at Rs. 15 and the clerks
time is valued at Rs. 4 per hour. What is the average hourly queuing system costs associated with the ticket
counter?
a. Rs 30
b. Rs 25
c. Rs 28
d. Rs 29

71. An electrical repairman finds that the time spent on his jobs has an exponential distribution with a mean of 30
minutes. If he repairs electrical items in the order in which they came in and if the arrival of items follow a Poisson
distribution with an average rate of 10 per 8 hour day, what is the repairmans expected idle time each day? How
many jobs are ahead of the average set just brought in?
a. 3 hours, 3 electrical items
b. 2 hours, 3 electrical items
c. 1 hours, 2 electrical items
d. 3 hours, 2 electrical items

72. Match the following sets:

Part A
1. W
2. U
3. H
4. L
Part B
A. Average number of units being serviced
B. Average waiting time
C. Average running time
D. Average number of units waiting for services
a. 1D, 2A, 3B, 4C
b. 1A, 2D, 3B, 4C
c. 1A, 2B, 3C, 4D
d. 1B, 2C, 3A, 4D

73. Mr Raghu is a Mechanic and owns a garage "Bike Junction". He gives appointments to customers every half an
hour. However, he does not know the nature of problems of automobiles arriving at his Garage. From past records,
he has the following probability distribution and also knows the exact repair timings. He starts his garage at 8.00
A.M. Using the following information determine the average waiting time of the customers and idle time of the
Mechanic. Random Numbers 56, 40, 26, 66, 87, 48, 17, 22, 04, 15.
Table shows probability distribution in past record.
Nature of repair
Wash
Oil change
Boring
Puncture
Service

Probability
0.10
0.30
0.15
0.30
0.15

Time taken for treatment (min)

50
15
40
15
30

a. 1 minutes, 15 minutes
b. 2 minutes, 25 minutes
c. 3 minutes, 35 minutes
d. 4 minutes, 45 minutes

74. Consider the below mentioned statements:

a) Randomness is a key requirement of Monte-Carlo simulation.
b) Monte-Carlo simulation involves modelling a deterministic system.
c) Simulation is a statistical experiment as such its results are subject to statistical error.
d) In Monte-Carlo simulation, a problem is solved by simulating the original data with random number generators.
State True or False:
a. Statements 1, 2, 3 and 4 are false

75.

b. Statements 1, 2, 3 and 4 are true

c. Statements 2, 3 and 4 are true, Statement 1 is false
d. Only statement 2 is true
Match the following sets:
Part A
1. PERT
2. CPM
3. Events
4. Activities
Part B
A. Construction project
B. R & D work.
C. Point in time
D. Represented by arrows
a.
b.
c.
d.

1A, 2B, 3C, 4D

1B, 2A, 3B, 4C
1D, 2A, 3B, 4C
1B, 2C, 3A, 4D