Final answer:
The firm is experiencing losses and should shut down its operations to avoid further losses.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this case, the firm is experiencing losses of $5 when producing five units of ball bearings. This means that the firm's costs exceed its revenues, resulting in a negative profit. Based on this information, it would not be wise for the company to continue its operations if it cannot make a profit.
The suggestion by the chief financial officer to produce only one case of ball bearings is also not the best decision for the firm. At this level of production, the firm's profit is negative, which indicates that it is still experiencing losses. Therefore, shutting down operations would be the best decision in this scenario.