Christine Joyce F.

Magote
BSA21A1

Learning Curve
The learning curve shows that if a task is performed over and over than less time will be
required at each iteration. Historically, it has been reported that whenever there has been
instanced of double production, the required labor time has decreased by 10 or 15 percent or
more. Learning curves are also known as experience curve, cost curves, efficiency curves and
productivity curves. These curves help demonstrate the cost per unit of output decreases over
time with the increase in experience of the workforce. Learning curves and experience curves is
extensively used by organization in production planning, cost forecasting and setting delivery.

Learning Curve on Graph

Learning curve demonstrates that over a period time, there is an increase in productivity
but with diminishing rate as production increases. Therefore, if the rate of reduction is 20% than
the learning curve is referred as 80% learning curve. Research has shown that as production
quantities double over a period of time, the average time decreases by 20% for immediate
production unit.
Learning curve is relevant in taking following decision:
 Pricing decision based on estimation of future costs.
 Workforce schedule based on future requirements.
 Capital requirement projections
 Set-up of incentive structure

Learning Curve from Single Unit Data

The data for effort put into production of a single unit is available than that data can be
used to plot three useful curves; the unit curve, the cumulative total and cumulative average
curve.
Unit curve is a curve which is plotted using a set of data available for the effort behind
production of a single unit. This curve is generally plotted on log-log paper and then best line can
be drawn.
Cumulative total curve is a curve which is plotted using cumulative effort total. This
produces curve with positive slope.
Cumulative average curve is a curve which is plotted using the cumulative effort average
for each unit.

Assistance Score Learning Curve

 As the name suggests an assistance score is the number of help, hint, wrong attempts
recorded for a given opportunity at the given task. From detailed research and analysis, it has
been observed that for the 1st opportunity at an average error of 1.3 times is made.

Error Learning Curve

Error learning curve depicts the percentage of assistance asked by the respondents on the
1st opportunity.

Predicted Learning Curve

Predicted learning curve is derived from learning factor analysis, which has the capability
in measuring student proficiency, knowledge component difficulty and knowledge component
learning rates. This analysis helps in quantifying the learning process.

Criticisms of the Experience Curve

It has been observed that experience curve should not be viewed in isolation. Learning
and experience curve has a strong dependency on individuals under observation. If the attitude of
the individual is positive, the resulting curve will resemble learning curve but if the attitude of
the individual is negative, the resulting curve will not hold good.

Example and Formula of Learning Curve

Learning curve
Y = axb
Where Y = cumulative average time per unit to produce x units
a = the time taken for the first unit of output
x = the cumulative number of units produced
b = the index of learning (log LR/log2)
LR = the learning rate as a decimal
Demand curve
P = a – bQ
b = change in price
change in quantity
a = price when Q = 0
MR = a – 2bQ

The learning curve theory proposes that a learner’s efficiency in a task improves over time the
more the learner performs the task.
 An example of where a learning curve can be applied could be a measurable task like a
factory worker learning to operate a new machine that requires specific, repeatable steps. As the
worker learns to operate the machine following the procedural steps, he becomes faster and more
proficient at using it. A learning curve would measure this rate of progression and mastery.

Industry
Manufacturing costs as related to workforce performance can be tracked by using the
learning curve. Instead of performance and number of attempts, the values could be unit cost or
unit labor hours and cumulative production in units. As workers produce more product, the per-
unit cost will often decrease. The learning curve can be used to predict potential costs when
production tasks change. For example, when the pricing of a new product is being determined,
labor costs are factored in.

Business
Learning curves can also be applied to organizational performance using either the
generalized approach or by conducting a measured analysis. Determining which approach to take
depends on whether the desired performance can be directly measured.

For example, employees learning a difficult task, such as learning to use a complex
software program, may have poor performance at the beginning due to the inherent difficulty of
the task. If the goal is that employees need to know how to use the software in their day-to-day
tasks, this may be difficult to measure as it involves many variables. By applying the learning
curve theory as a framework, organizations can still benefit.

Medicine
 For surgeons in the operating room, many procedures will involve the same repetitive
tasks. Because a surgeon is essentially practicing the same skill over and over whenever that
procedure is done, the learning curve can be applied to show individual learning and
performance over time.

Linear Programming

Linear programming is a mathematical technique for finding optimal solutions to

problems that can be expressed using linear equations and inequalities. If a real-world problem
can be represented accurately by the mathematical equations of a linear program, the method will
find the best solution to the problem. Of course, few complex real-world problems can be
expressed perfectly in terms of a set of linear functions. Nevertheless, linear programs can
provide reasonably realistic representations of many real-world problems especially if a little
creativity is applied in the mathematical formulation of the problem.

Example of a linear programming problem

Let’s say a delivery express has 6 packages to deliver in a day. The warehouse is located
at point A. The 6 delivery destinations are given by U, V, W, X, Y, and Z. The numbers on the
lines indicate the distance between the cities. To save on fuel and time the delivery person wants
to take the shortest route.

So, the delivery person will calculate different routes for going to all the 6 destinations
and then come up with the shortest route. This technique of choosing the shortest route is called
linear programming.

In this case, the objective of the delivery person is to deliver the parcel on time at all 6
destinations. The process of choosing the best route is called Operation Research. Operation
research is an approach to decision-making, which involves a set of methods to operate a system.
In the above example, my system was the Delivery model.
 Linear programming is used for obtaining the most optimal solution for a problem with
given constraints. In linear programming, we formulate our real-life problem into a mathematical
model. It involves an objective function, linear inequalities with subject to constraints.,