--%>

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 : 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 : Pearsons correlation coefficient The

    The table below illustrates the relationship between two variable X and Y. A

  • Q : Problem on consumers marginal utility

    Consider a consumer with probability p of becoming sick.  Let Is be the consumer’s income if he becomes sick, and let Ins be his income if he does not become sick, with Is < Ins. Suppo

  • Q : Probability of signaling Quality

    Quality control: when the output of a production process is stable at an acceptable standard, it is said to be "in control?. Suppose that a production process has been in control for some time and that the proportion of defectives has been 0.5. as a means of monitorin

  • Q : Non-parametric test what is the

    what is the appropriate non-parametric counterpart for the independent sample t test?

  • 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 : 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?

  • Q : Problem on income probability Kramer

    Kramer spends all of his income  $270  on two products, soup (S) and on golf balls (G). He always bought 2 golf balls for every 1 cup of soup he consumes. He acquires no additional utility from the other cup of soup unless he as well gets 2 more golf balls a

  • Q : Analysing the Probabilities 1. In the

    1. In the waning seconds of Superbowl XLVII, the Baltimore Ravens elected to take a safety rather than punt the ball. A sports statistician wishes to analyze the effect this decision had on the probability of winning the game. (a) Which two of the following probabilities would most help t