Final answer:
In Dr. Ragsdale's optimization spreadsheets, cells with a blue font color represent decision variables, which are key elements in an optimization model that can be manipulated to optimize the objective function.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Dr. Ragsdale's optimization spreadsheets, cells with a blue font color represented decision variables. This color coding helps to distinguish between different types of cells in a spreadsheet, with each color signifying a specific role in the optimization model. Decision variables are the elements within the optimization problem that we are able to change or decide upon. Understanding how to identify these cells is crucial for anyone working with such optimization spreadsheets.
Decision variables can be manipulated within the constraints of the model to find the best possible solution that maximizes or minimizes the objective function. It's essential to differentiate them from formula cells or constraint cells, which might be colored differently. Decision variables are typically what an optimization model will solve for to achieve the optimal objective.