A production manager is reviewing the efficiency of two manufacturing lines, Line X and Line Y. Line X processes 500 units per hour and consumes 100 kWh of energy per hour. Line Y processes 600 units per hour and consumes 150 kWh of energy per hour. What is the difference in their Resource Consumption Rate (kWh per unit), and which line is more energy efficient?
- ALine Y is more efficient by 0.05 kWh/unit
- BLine Y is more efficient by 0.10 kWh/unit
- CLine X is more efficient by 0.10 kWh/unit
- DLine X is more efficient by 0.05 kWh/unit
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Line X is more efficient by 0.05 kWh/unit
The Resource Consumption Rate (kWh per unit) is calculated as (Total Energy Consumption / Total Units Processed). A lower rate indicates higher efficiency. For Line X: 100 kWh / 500 units = 0.20 kWh per unit. For Line Y: 150 kWh / 600 units = 0.25 kWh per unit. Line X has a lower consumption rate (0.20 kWh/unit) than Line Y (0.25 kWh/unit), meaning Line X is more energy efficient. The difference in their rates is 0.25 - 0.20 = 0.05 kWh per unit.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This option incorrectly identifies Line Y as more efficient.
- B. This option incorrectly identifies Line Y as more efficient and incorrectly states the difference in consumption rates.
- C. This option incorrectly states the difference in consumption rates.
Resource Consumption Rate
The Resource Consumption Rate measures the amount of a specific resource (e.g., energy, raw material) used per unit of output produced. It is a key metric for assessing operational efficiency and sustainability.
- Quantifies resource usage relative to output.
- Calculated as (Total Resource Used) / (Total Units Produced).
- Lower rates indicate greater efficiency and reduced waste.
Memory trick: Resource in, product out, efficiency's the goal, no doubt!