ANSWER: THE CORRECT ANSWER IS OPTION A (STEPPING-STONE METHOD).
EXPLANATION:
The Stepping Stone Method refers to technique or procedure used in checking the optimality of an initial feasible solution to produce optimal solution in a transportation based problem, determined by the use of any of this three (3) methods;
A. North-West Corner,
B. Least Cost Method, or
C. Vogel’s Approximation Method. Therefore, the stepping stone method serves as a framework for finding the potential of empty cells in the transportation system.