--%>

Problem on utility funtion probability

Suppose that your utility, U, is a function only of wealth, Y, and that U(Y) is as drawn below. In this graph, note that U(Y) increases linearly between points a and b. 

Suppose further that you do not know whether or not you will be sick, but you do know that the probability of becoming sick is p (while the probability of staying healthy is 1-p).  If you do get sick, your wealth will be Ys = 0.  If you do not get sick, your wealth will be Yh > 0. 

1940_utility function.jpg

(1) Write an expression for expected income, EI, and an expression for expected utility without insurance.
 
(2) Assume that a < EI < b.  Draw, on the graph above, a line showing expected utility without insurance. Also draw a line showing expected utility with actuarially fair full insurance.

(3) Consider an actuarially fair partial insurance contract that offers a if you are sick and b if you are healthy. Would your utility with such a contract be greater or less than your utility with an actuarially fair full insurance contract? Briefly, explain. 

   Related Questions in Advanced Statistics

  • Q : True and False Statement Discuss the

    Discuss the following statements and explain why they are true or false: a)      Increasing the number of predictor variables will never decrease the R2 b)      Multicollinearity affects the int

  • Q : Conclusion using p-value and critical

    A sample of 9 days over the past six months showed that a clinic treated the following numbers of patients: 24, 26, 21, 17, 16, 23, 27, 18, and 25. If the number of patients seen per day is normally distributed, would an analysis of these sample data provide evid

  • Q : Error probability As of last year, only

    As of last year, only 20% of the employees in an organization used public transportation to commute to and from work. To determine if a recent campaign encouraging the use of public transportation has been effective, a random sample of 25 employees is to be interviewe

  • Q : Probability problem A) What is the

    A) What is the probability of getting the following sequence with a fair die (as in dice):B) What is the probability of getting the same sequence with a die that is biased in the following way: p(1)=p(2)=p(3)=p(4)=15%;

  • Q : Problem on Poisson distribution The

    The number of trucks coming to a certain warehouse each day follows the Poisson distribution with λ= 8. The warehouse can handle a maximum of 12 trucks a day. What is the probability that on a given day one or more trucks have to be sent away? Round the answer

  • Q : Problem on utility funtion probability

    Suppose that your utility, U, is a function only of wealth, Y, and that U(Y) is as drawn below. In this graph, note that U(Y) increases linearly between points a and b.  Suppose further that you do not know whether or not you

  • Q : Probability of winning game Monte Carlo

    Monte Carlo Simulation for Determining Probabilities 1. Determining the probability of winning at the game of craps is difficult to solve analytically. We will assume you are playing the `Pass Line.'  So here is how the game is played: The shooter rolls a pair of

  • Q : Discrete and continuous data

    Distinguish between discrete and continuous data in brief.

  • Q : Calculate corresponding t value or s

    1)    Construct a 99% confidence interval for the population mean µ.   2)    At what significance level do the data provide good evidence that the average body temperature is

  • Q : Frequency Distributions Define the term

    Define the term Frequency Distributions?