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Earned-Value Analysis

Construction Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section

Construction Engineering
3 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~51 min
All Construction Engineering lectures

Core formulas for this FE topic

Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.

Worked exam-style examples

The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.

Example 1
Crew productivity — solve for total quantity — Earned-Value Analysis

A construction engineering problem uses Crew productivity. Given production rate (P) = 7.0000 units/hr; duration (t) = 158.0 hr, determine the total quantity (Q) in units.

Given

  • productionrate(P)=7.0000units/hrproduction rate (P) = 7.0000 units/hr
  • duration(t)=158.0hrduration (t) = 158.0 hr

Find

total quantity (Q), in units

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Crew productivity.
  • Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Construction Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Q=P×tQ = P \times t
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that Q stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:productionrate(P)=7.0000units/hr,duration(t)=158.0hrList the givens: production rate (P) = 7.0000 units/hr, duration (t) = 158.0 hr
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q=1106 unitsQ = 1106\ \text{units}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 1,106 units to

    Q=P×tQ = P \times t

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q=1106 unitsQ = 1106\ \text{units}

Why the other options are there

  • 2,212 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 553.0 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 1,217 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Construction Engineering → Earned-Value Analysis

Example 2
Total cost from unit cost — solve for total cost — Earned-Value Analysis (2)

A construction engineering problem uses Total cost from unit cost. Given unit cost (cu) = 361.0 $/unit; quantity (Q) = 7,601 units, determine the total cost (C) in $.

Given

  • unit cost (cu) = 361.0 $/unit

  • quantity(Q)=7,601unitsquantity (Q) = 7,601 units

Find

total cost (C), in $

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Total cost from unit cost.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Construction Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=cu×QC = c_u \times Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: unit cost (cu) = 361.0 $/unit, quantity (Q) = 7,601 units.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=2743961 $C = 2743961\ \text{\$}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 2,743,961 $ to

    C=cu×QC = c_u \times Q

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C=2743961 $C = 2743961\ \text{\$}

Why the other options are there

  • 5,487,922 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 1,371,981 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 3,018,357 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Construction Engineering → Earned-Value Analysis

Example 3
Crew productivity — solve for production rate — Earned-Value Analysis (3)

A construction engineering problem uses Crew productivity. Given duration (t) = 84.0000 hr; total quantity (Q) = 2,936 units, determine the production rate (P) in units/hr.

Given

  • duration(t)=84.0000hrduration (t) = 84.0000 hr
  • totalquantity(Q)=2,936unitstotal quantity (Q) = 2,936 units

Find

production rate (P), in units/hr

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Crew productivity.
  • Everything except P is given, so isolate P symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Construction Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Q=P×tQ = P \times t
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that P stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:duration(t)=84.0000hr,totalquantity(Q)=2,936unitsList the givens: duration (t) = 84.0000 hr, total quantity (Q) = 2,936 units
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    P=34.9524 units/hrP = 34.9524\ \text{units/hr}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning P = 34.9524 units/hr to

    Q=P×tQ = P \times t

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
P=34.9524 units/hrP = 34.9524\ \text{units/hr}

Why the other options are there

  • 69.9048 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 17.4762 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 38.4476 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Construction Engineering → Earned-Value Analysis

Example 4
Total cost from unit cost — solve for unit cost — Earned-Value Analysis (4)

A construction engineering problem uses Total cost from unit cost. Given quantity (Q) = 840.0 units; total cost (C) = 334,007 $, determine the unit cost (cu) in $/unit.

Given

  • quantity(Q)=840.0unitsquantity (Q) = 840.0 units
  • total cost (C) = 334,007 $

Find

unit cost (cu), in $/unit

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Total cost from unit cost.
  • Everything except cu is given, so isolate cu symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Construction Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=cu×QC = c_u \times Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that cu stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: quantity (Q) = 840.0 units, total cost (C) = 334,007 $.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    cu=397.6 $/unitcu = 397.6\ \text{\$/unit}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning cu = 397.6 $/unit to

    C=cu×QC = c_u \times Q

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
cu=397.6 $/unitcu = 397.6\ \text{\$/unit}

Why the other options are there

  • 795.3 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 198.8 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 437.4 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Construction Engineering → Earned-Value Analysis

Example 5
Crew productivity — solve for duration — Earned-Value Analysis (5)

A construction engineering problem uses Crew productivity. Given production rate (P) = 85.0000 units/hr; total quantity (Q) = 1,251 units, determine the duration (t) in hr.

Given

  • productionrate(P)=85.0000units/hrproduction rate (P) = 85.0000 units/hr
  • totalquantity(Q)=1,251unitstotal quantity (Q) = 1,251 units

Find

duration (t), in hr

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Crew productivity.
  • Everything except t is given, so isolate t symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Construction Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Q=P×tQ = P \times t
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that t stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: production rate (P) = 85.0000 units/hr, total quantity (Q) = 1,251 units.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    t=14.7176 hrt = 14.7176\ \text{hr}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning t = 14.7176 hr to

    Q=P×tQ = P \times t

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
t=14.7176 hrt = 14.7176\ \text{hr}

Why the other options are there

  • 29.4353 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 7.3588 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 16.1894 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Construction Engineering → Earned-Value Analysis

Example 6
Total cost from unit cost — solve for quantity — Earned-Value Analysis (6)

A construction engineering problem uses Total cost from unit cost. Given unit cost (cu) = 103.5 $/unit; total cost (C) = 324,332 $, determine the quantity (Q) in units.

Given

  • unit cost (cu) = 103.5 $/unit

  • total cost (C) = 324,332 $

Find

quantity (Q), in units

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Total cost from unit cost.
  • Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Construction Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=cu×QC = c_u \times Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that Q stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: unit cost (cu) = 103.5 $/unit, total cost (C) = 324,332 $.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q=3134 unitsQ = 3134\ \text{units}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 3,134 units to

    C=cu×QC = c_u \times Q

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q=3134 unitsQ = 3134\ \text{units}

Why the other options are there

  • 6,267 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 1,567 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 3,447 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Construction Engineering → Earned-Value Analysis

Example 7
Crew productivity — solve for total quantity (case 2) — Earned-Value Analysis (7)

A construction engineering problem uses Crew productivity. Given production rate (P) = 91.0000 units/hr; duration (t) = 150.0 hr, determine the total quantity (Q) in units.

Given

  • productionrate(P)=91.0000units/hrproduction rate (P) = 91.0000 units/hr
  • duration(t)=150.0hrduration (t) = 150.0 hr

Find

total quantity (Q), in units

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Crew productivity.
  • Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Construction Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Q=P×tQ = P \times t
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that Q stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:productionrate(P)=91.0000units/hr,duration(t)=150.0hrList the givens: production rate (P) = 91.0000 units/hr, duration (t) = 150.0 hr
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q=13650 unitsQ = 13650\ \text{units}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 13,650 units to

    Q=P×tQ = P \times t

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q=13650 unitsQ = 13650\ \text{units}

Why the other options are there

  • 27,300 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 6,825 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 15,015 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Construction Engineering → Earned-Value Analysis

Example 8
Total cost from unit cost — solve for total cost (case 2) — Earned-Value Analysis (8)

A construction engineering problem uses Total cost from unit cost. Given unit cost (cu) = 441.5 $/unit; quantity (Q) = 8,747 units, determine the total cost (C) in $.

Given

  • unit cost (cu) = 441.5 $/unit

  • quantity(Q)=8,747unitsquantity (Q) = 8,747 units

Find

total cost (C), in $

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Total cost from unit cost.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Construction Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=cu×QC = c_u \times Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: unit cost (cu) = 441.5 $/unit, quantity (Q) = 8,747 units.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=3861801 $C = 3861801\ \text{\$}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 3,861,801 $ to

    C=cu×QC = c_u \times Q

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C=3861801 $C = 3861801\ \text{\$}

Why the other options are there

  • 7,723,601 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 1,930,900 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 4,247,981 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Construction Engineering → Earned-Value Analysis

Example 9
Crew productivity — solve for production rate (case 2) — Earned-Value Analysis (9)

A construction engineering problem uses Crew productivity. Given duration (t) = 19.0000 hr; total quantity (Q) = 4,744 units, determine the production rate (P) in units/hr.

Given

  • duration(t)=19.0000hrduration (t) = 19.0000 hr
  • totalquantity(Q)=4,744unitstotal quantity (Q) = 4,744 units

Find

production rate (P), in units/hr

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Crew productivity.
  • Everything except P is given, so isolate P symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Construction Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Q=P×tQ = P \times t
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that P stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:duration(t)=19.0000hr,totalquantity(Q)=4,744unitsList the givens: duration (t) = 19.0000 hr, total quantity (Q) = 4,744 units
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    P=249.7 units/hrP = 249.7\ \text{units/hr}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning P = 249.7 units/hr to

    Q=P×tQ = P \times t

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
P=249.7 units/hrP = 249.7\ \text{units/hr}

Why the other options are there

  • 499.4 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 124.8 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 274.7 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Construction Engineering → Earned-Value Analysis

Example 10
Total cost from unit cost — solve for unit cost (case 2) — Earned-Value Analysis (10)

A construction engineering problem uses Total cost from unit cost. Given quantity (Q) = 9,864 units; total cost (C) = 425,980 $, determine the unit cost (cu) in $/unit.

Given

  • quantity(Q)=9,864unitsquantity (Q) = 9,864 units
  • total cost (C) = 425,980 $

Find

unit cost (cu), in $/unit

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Total cost from unit cost.
  • Everything except cu is given, so isolate cu symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Construction Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=cu×QC = c_u \times Q
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that cu stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: quantity (Q) = 9,864 units, total cost (C) = 425,980 $.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    cu=43.1853 $/unitcu = 43.1853\ \text{\$/unit}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning cu = 43.1853 $/unit to

    C=cu×QC = c_u \times Q

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
cu=43.1853 $/unitcu = 43.1853\ \text{\$/unit}

Why the other options are there

  • 86.3706 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 21.5927 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 47.5039 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Construction Engineering → Earned-Value Analysis

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