Technological maturity versus use maturity: There are a number of processes used industrially for separation (of salt from water, for example). Such a process has a technological maturity, which is...

Technological maturity versus use maturity: There are a number of processes used industrially for separation (of salt from water, for example). Such a process has a technological maturity, which is the percentage of perfection that the process has reached. A separation process with a high technological maturity is a very well-developed process. It also has a use maturity, which is the percentage of total reasonable use. High use maturity indicates that the process is being used to near capacity. In 1987 Keller collected from a number of experts their estimation of technological and use maturities. The table below is adapted from those data.

a. Construct a linear model for use maturity as a function of technological maturity.

b. Explain in practical terms the meaning of the slope of the regression line.

c. Express, using functional notation, the use maturity of a process that has a technological maturity of 89%, and then estimate that value.

d. Solvent extraction has a technological maturity of 73% and a use maturity of 61%. Is solvent extraction being used more or less than would be expected from its technological development? How might this information affect an entrepreneur’s decision whether to get into the business of selling solvent equipment to industry?

e. Construct a linear model for technological maturity as a function of use maturity.