--%>

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 : 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 : Pearsons correlation coefficient The

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

  • 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 : 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

  • 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 : 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 : Non-parametric test what is the

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

  • Q : How you would use randomization in

    The design of instrument controls affects how easily people can use them. An investigator used 25 students who were right-handed to determine whether right-handed subjects preferred right-handed threaded knobs. He had two machines that differed only in that one had a

  • Q : Frequency Distributions Define the term

    Define the term Frequency Distributions?