The following data are for a series of increasingly extensive flood-control projects.
total cost per year total benefit per year
plan a = levees $10,000 $16,000
plan b = small reservoir 24,000 36,000
plan c = medium reservoir 44,000 52,000
plan d = large reservoir 72,000 64,000
for plan d marginal costs and marginal benefits are
$16,000 and $28,000, respectively.
$24,000 and $18,000, respectively.
$28,000 and $12,000, respectively.
$72,000 and $64,000, respectively.

In its 2016 annual report, caterpillar inc. reported the following (in millions): 2016 2015 sales $38,537 $47,011 cost of goods sold 28,309 33,546 as a percentage of sales, did caterpillar's gross profit increase or decrease during 2016? select one: a. gross profit increased from 26.8% to 28.6% b. gross profit decreased from 28.6% to 26.5% c. gross profit increased from 71.4% to 73.2% d. gross profit decreased from 73.2% to 71.4% e. there is not enough information to answer the question.

University hero is considering expanding operations beyond its healthy sandwiches. jim axelrod, vice president of marketing, would like to add a line of smoothies with a similar health emphasis. each smoothie would include two free health supplements such as vitamins, antioxidants, and protein. jim believes smoothie sales should fill the slow mid-afternoon period. adding the line of smoothies would require purchasing additional freezer space, machinery, and equipment. jim provides the following projections of net sales, net income, and average total assets in support of his proposal. sandwichesonly sandwiches and smoothies net sales $ 750,000 $ 1,350,000 net income 120,000 210,000 average total assets 350,000 750,000 return on assetschoose numerator ÷ choose denominator = return on assets÷ = return on assets÷ = profit margin÷ = profit margin÷ = asset turnover÷ = asset turnover÷ = times

You work as the sales manager for a company that sells office supplies to businesses of all sizes. because the profit margins are razor-thin, you need to ensure that you are getting the very best prices on paper, pencils, pens, post-it notes, and other office supplies from the manufacturers. when reviewing the quarterly profit statement, you realize that your costs are higher than they should be, and you trace the higher costs back to an employee who has been lax about getting competitive bids to ensure the lowest prices. when you conduct your research to determine the reason for the higher costs, and take action to bring those costs back down, in which of the key management processes are you taking part?