--%>

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 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 : 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

  • 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 : Grouped Frequency Distributions Grouped

    Grouped Frequency Distributions: Guidelines for classes: A) There must be between 5 to 20 classes. B) The class width must be an odd number. This will assure that the class mid-points are integers rather than decimals. C) The classes should be mutually exclusive. This signifies that no data valu

  • Q : Binomial distribution 1) A Discrete

    1) A Discrete random variable can be described as Binomial distribution if is satisfies four conditions, Briefly discuss each of these conditions2) A student does not study for a multiple choice examination and decides to guess the correct answers, If the

  • Q : Pearsons correlation coefficient The

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

  • 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 : Bayesian Point Estimation What are the

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

  • 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 : 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