A chain of home health care firms in Louisiana needs to locate a central office from which to conduct internal audits and other periodic reviews of its facilities. These facilities are scattered throughout the state, as detailed in the following table. Each site, except for Houma, will be visited three times each year by a team of workers, who will drive from the central office to the site. Houma will be visited five times a year. Which coordinates represent a good central location for this office? What other factors might influence the office location decision? Where would you place this office? Explain.
MAP COORDINATES
City X Y
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Covington 9.2 3.5
Donaldsonville 7.3 2.5
Houma 7.8 1.4
Monroe 5.0 8.4
Natchitoches 2.8 6.5
New Iberia 5.5 2.4
Opelousas 5.0 3.6
Ruston 3.8 8.5