An engineer wishes to maximize the output y of a water desalination facility by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), y is measured on-line as parameters a, b, and c are tweaked. The following data are obtained:
a b c y
11 2.2 26 24.3
11 2.6 27 31.7
13 3.0 28 39.5
13 2.2 28 42.1
15 2.6 26 33.8
15 3.0 27 25.9
(a) Convert parameters a, b, and c to coded variables x1, x2, and x.
(b) Determine the vector of steepest ascent in terms of the coded variables.
(c) Which parameter has the most influence on output y?