--%>

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 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 : Discrete and continuous data

    Distinguish between discrete and continuous data in brief.

  • Q : Problem related to playing cards Cards

    Cards are randomly drawn one at the time and with replacement from a standard deck of 52 playing cards. (a) Find the probability of getting the fourth spades on the 10th draw. (b) Determine the

  • Q : Describe how random sampling serves

    Explain sampling bias and describe how random sampling serves to avoid bias in the process of data collection.    

  • Q : Calculate confidence interval A nurse

    A nurse anesthetist was experimenting with the use of nitronox as an anesthetic in the treatment of children's fractures of the arm.  She treated 50 children and found that the mean treatment time (in minutes) was 26.26 minutes with a sample standard deviation of

  • Q : Correlation Define the term Correlation

    Define the term Correlation and describe Correlation formula in brief.

  • Q : Statistics Homework with SAS File is

    File is attached, need it by 8:30 AM Pacific (Seattle, WA) time. No delay acceptable. Need it March 25, 2014 on 8:30 AM Pacific time.

  • Q : Variation what are the advantages and

    what are the advantages and disadvantages of seasonal variation

  • 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 : Problem on Chebyshevs theorem 1. Prove

    1. Prove that the law of iterated expectations for continuous random variables.2. Prove that the bounds in Chebyshev's theorem cannot be improved upon. I.e., provide a distribution which satisfies the bounds exactly for k ≥1, show that it satisfies the