The Astrologically Clairvoyant Manufacturers (ACM),a pioneer in future-predicting technology, just landed a contract to manufacture crystal balls for weather forecasters around the world. Every week, a variable number of crystal balls needs to be delivered; the required amount for each week is specified in the contract.
Crystal balls are made from the highest-quality crystal, whose price fluctuates from week to week. Fortunately, the ACM is able to foresee the price of crystal for the coming weeks, thanks to its own future-predicting technology.
When the price is low, the ACM would like to buy crystal and manufacture crystal balls, storing any excess in their warehouse. On the other hand, in weeks for which the price is high, ACM would rather use the crystal balls stored in the warehouse to satisfy the demand specified in their contract. However, since there is a also a fixed weekly cost to store each crystal ball in the warehouse, and an initial cost for turning on the manufacturing machines and producing a non-zero quantity of crystal balls, the decision is not always simple.
Can you help them fulfill their contract at minimal cost?