Chapter 1, Problem 11PE

In this chapter, we noted the importance of defining and analyzing a problem prior to attempting to find a solution. Consider this example: One of the earliest operations research groups during World War II was conducting a study on the optimum utilization of Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Whenever one of these planes returned from battle, the locations of the bullet holes on it were carefully plotted. By repeatedly recording these data over time, and studying the clusters of data, the group was able to estimate the regions of the aircraft most likely to be hit by enemy gunfire, with the objective of reinforcing these regions with special armor. What difficulties do you see here?