--%>

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 : Probability of Rolling die problem A

    A fair die is rolled (independently) 12 times. (a) Let X denote the total number of 1’s in 12 rolls. Find the expected value and variance of X. (b) Determine the probability of obtaining e

  • 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 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 : Probability Distributions and Data

    1. A popular resort hotel has 300 rooms and is usually fully booked. About 4% of the time a reservation is canceled before 6:00 p.m. deadline with no penalty. What is the probability that at least 280 rooms will be occupied? Use binomial distribution to find the exact value and the normal approxi

  • Q : What is your statistical decision

    Question 1 Do parents with more children travel more than parents of small families? To find out, a survey was done of a large number of adults. Respondents were asked how many children they had and how many times

  • Q : Non-parametric test what is the

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

  • Q : Bayesian Point Estimation What are the

    What are the Bayesian Point of estimation and what are the process of inference in Bayesian statistics?

  • Q : Variation what are the advantages and

    what are the advantages and disadvantages of seasonal variation

  • Q : Probability on expected number of days

    It doesn't rain often in Tucson. Yet, when it does, I want to be prepared. I have 2 umbrellas at home and 1 umbrella in my office. Before I leave my house, I check if it is raining. If it is, I take one of the umbrellas with me to work, where I would leave it. When I

  • Q : Discrete and continuous data

    Distinguish between discrete and continuous data in brief.