Final answer:
Dr. Yang orders N-95 masks 12 times a year at her current ordering rate. She should calculate the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) to minimize costs, which involves using specific inventory management formulas. Ordering 100,000 boxes would also alter her total costs, which can be determined by the same cost formulas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the optimal order quantity and associated costs, which involves applying the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model and inventory management principles.
Dr. Yang places orders 12 times a year, as she orders 500,000 boxes each time, which is her monthly requirement. To minimize the sum of ordering and holding costs, Dr. Yang should determine the EOQ, which is calculated using the formula: EOQ = √(2DS/H), where D is the annual demand, S is the ordering cost per order, and H is the holding cost per unit per year. The minimum possible sum of annual ordering and holding costs can be found by substituting the EOQ into the total cost formula: TC = ((D/Q) * S) + ((Q/2) * H), where Q is the order quantity. If Dr. Yang orders 100,000 boxes, she will place 5 orders per year (because 500,000 divided by 100,000 is 5), leading to a different total cost which can also be calculated using the total cost formula mentioned above.