von Neumann-Morgenstern Utility Function

The von Neumann-Morgenstern Utility Function:

A lottery L will pay $A with likelihood p and $B with (1− p). If we can assign numbers (cardinal utilities) U(A) and U(B) then the expected utility of this lottery L is able to be defined as follows:

U(L) = pU( A) + (1− p)U(B)

Beside assigning two (hypothetical) extreme numbers A, B, U(A) and U(B) respectively. Assume that A = $100,000 and B = − $3,000.

As well U( A) = 100 and U(B) = 0

Using the continuity axiom we are able to calculate the specific probability p that can make this decision-maker indifferent among buying this lottery (risky asset) as well as having any specific amount of money (safe asset). Let’s take $25000 as safe asset. If this person says that his p equals 0.4 then the utility that $25000 will create:

U($25,000) = 0.4 ×U($100000) + (1− 0.4) ×U(−3000) = 0.4 ×100 + 0.6 × 0 = 40

Using this instance the expected value of the award from this lottery is calculated simply:

$[pA + (1− p)B].

The risk averse person will favour the situation of having the expected value amount for sure to playing this lottery. In his point of view the expected utility of lottery is smaller than the utility of expected value.

pU(A) + (1− p)U(B) <U[ pA + (1− p)B]

This characteristic is analogous to the mathematical implication of strictly concave function, which denotes that risk averse person will have (strictly) concave utility curve.

Concave Function:

Presume there is a function y = f (x). Take any two values of x1, x2. And let x3 be located in between x1 and x2 . x3 can be mathematically expressed as follows:

x3 = kx1 + (1− k)x2 , 0 < k < 1

Hence, x3 is a convex combination of x1 and x2. If k is close to 0, x3 approaches to x2. Concave function can be expressed as:

kf (x1) + (1− k) f (x2) < f [kx1 + (1− k)x2]

Likewise, convex function can be expressed as:

kf (x1) + (1− k) f (x2) > f [kx1 + (1− k)x2]

Determining risk premium:

1878_risk premium.jpg

Latest technology based Microeconomics Online Tutoring Assistance

Tutors, at the www.tutorsglobe.com, take pledge to provide full satisfaction and assurance in Microeconomics help via online tutoring. Students are getting 100% satisfaction by online tutors across the globe. Here you can get homework help for Microeconomics, project ideas and tutorials. We provide email based Microeconomics help. You can join us to ask queries 24x7 with live, experienced and qualified online tutors specialized in Microeconomics. Through Online Tutoring, you would be able to complete your homework or assignments at your home. Tutors at the TutorsGlobe are committed to provide the best quality online tutoring assistance for Microeconomics Homework help and assignment help services. They use their experience, as they have solved thousands of the Microeconomics assignments, which may help you to solve your complex issues of Microeconomics. TutorsGlobe assure for the best quality compliance to your homework. Compromise with quality is not in our dictionary. If we feel that we are not able to provide the homework help as per the deadline or given instruction by the student, we refund the money of the student without any delay.

©TutorsGlobe All rights reserved 2022-2023.