Using optimization theory, analyze the following quotations:

a. “The optimal number of traffic deaths in the United States is zero.”
b. “Any pollution is too much pollution.”
c. We cannot pull U.S. troops out of Iraq. We have committed to such already.”
d. “If congress cuts out the NASA space station, we will have wasted all the resources that we have already spent on it. Therefore we must continue funding it.”
e. “Since JetGreen Airways has experienced a 25% increase in its insurance premiums, the airline should increase the number of passengers it serves next quarter in order to spread the increase in premiums over a larger number of tickets.”

I will be happy to critique your responses. These are very evident.

I did get a laugh out of e. It reminded me of a car dealer years ago in Austin, that he advertised he lost money on every sale, but he made it up in volume.

I think Airlines pay insurance based on passenger miles.

To analyze the quotations using optimization theory, we need to consider the goals or objectives each statement is trying to optimize and evaluate whether these objectives are feasible or reasonable.

a. "The optimal number of traffic deaths in the United States is zero."
The goal here is to minimize the number of traffic deaths. From an optimization perspective, this objective is reasonable and desirable as it seeks to minimize a negative outcome. However, achieving zero traffic deaths may not be feasible in reality due to various factors such as human error and unforeseen circumstances.

b. "Any pollution is too much pollution."
This statement aims to eliminate or minimize pollution. From an optimization perspective, the objective is to minimize the negative impact of pollution on the environment and human health. While reducing pollution is a desirable goal, completely eliminating it may not be practical or feasible in certain industries or activities.

c. "We cannot pull U.S. troops out of Iraq. We have committed to such already."
This statement is not directly related to optimization theory, as it deals with political decisions and commitments rather than optimizing a specific objective. It is a statement of constraint rather than an objective to optimize.

d. "If Congress cuts out the NASA space station, we will have wasted all the resources that we have already spent on it. Therefore we must continue funding it."
This statement is based on the concept of sunk costs, where past investments (in this case, resources spent on the NASA space station) are considered when making decisions about future actions. From an optimization perspective, the objective is to minimize waste and maximize the value of the resources invested. However, it is essential to evaluate the potential benefits and costs of continuing funding for the space station compared to alternative uses of those resources.

e. "Since JetGreen Airways has experienced a 25% increase in its insurance premiums, the airline should increase the number of passengers it serves next quarter to spread the increase in premiums over a larger number of tickets."
This statement suggests a strategy for JetGreen Airways to mitigate the impact of a cost increase (insurance premiums) by increasing revenue (number of passengers served). This approach aims to optimize the airline's profitability by spreading the cost increase over a larger number of ticket sales. From an optimization perspective, the objective is to maximize the airline's financial performance. However, it is important to consider other factors such as operational capacity, market demand, and customer satisfaction to ensure the feasibility and effectiveness of this strategy.