--%>

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 layout A manufacturing

    A manufacturing facility consists of five departments, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. It produces four components having manufacturing product routings and production volumes indicated below.   1. Generate the from-to matrix and the interaction matrix. Use a

  • Q : Variation what are the advantages and

    what are the advantages and disadvantages of seasonal variation

  • 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 : 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 : MANOVA and Reflection Activity 10:

    Activity 10: MANOVA and Reflection 4Comparison of Multiple Outcome Variables This activity introduces you to a very common technique - MANOVA. MANOVA is simply an extension of an ANOVA and allows for the comparison of multiple outcome variables (again, a very common situation in research a

  • 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 : 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 : Pearsons correlation coefficient The

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

  • Q : Discrete and continuous data

    Distinguish between discrete and continuous data in brief.