--%>

Utility functions to calculate scores on the midterm

Question:

1. Nancy is taking a course in Fairy Tales from Professor Grimm and another in Philosophy from Professor Par. In each course there will be two exams, a midterm exam and a final exam. In Professor Grimm's course, Nancy's grade will be determined by the minimum of her scores on the two exams.  In Professor Par's course, the scores on the two exams are weighted equally. For each of the two courses, write thee different utility functions that describe Nancy's preference for scores on the midterm and the final exam. For each of the two courses, draw a diagram with a set of indifference curves for Nancy. Make sure to note higher and lower levels of utility.

1. Fairy Tales Course:

There are two options to get utility from: Mid term grades, and Final grades.

The utility function will take the form of:

U (m, f) = min {m, f}

Where, m = mid term grades,

              f = final exam grades

Indifference curves:

2083_Indifference curves.png

Philosophy Course:

There are two options to get utility from: Mid term grades, and Final grades.

The utility function will take the form of:

U (m, f) = 0.5m + 0.5f, since both the exams are equally weighed.

Where, m = mid term grades,

              f = final exam grades

Indifference curves:

The indifference curves will be downwards sloping straight lines with slope -1. Here is the illustration:

U = 0.5m + 0.5f

  1.   0.5m = U - 0.5f
  2.   m = 2U - f

Also, as the utility level increases, the intercept will increase, and the ICs will shift to right and up.

 

292_The arrows point out towards increasing utility.png

   Related Questions in Business Economics

  • Q : Explain the term Price Earnings Ratio

    Briefly explain the term Price Earnings Ratio (or P/E Ratio)?

  • Q : Best alternatives while choices are made

    Opportunity costs, which are the values of the: (i) monetary costs of goods and services. (ii) best alternatives sacrificed while choices are made. (iii) minimal budgets of families upon welfare. (iv) hidden charges passed upon to consumers. (v) exorb

  • Q : Introduction of the term Risk factor

    Give a brief introduction of the term Risk factor?

  • Q : Describe what do you mean by European

    Describe what do you mean by European Union (EU)?

  • Q : Fixed or managed exchange rate

    Question: A country with a fixed or managed exchange rate would consider i.___________________ its currency to gain competitive advantage vis-à-vis its trade

  • Q : Other things equal assumption helps

    Explain the statement: “The other things equal assumption helps isolate key economic relationships.”?

  • Q : Maximizes profits in a perfectly

    Which of the given is not true for a firm within perfect competition: w) Profit equivalents total revenue minus total cost. x) Price equivalents average revenue. y) Average revenue is greater than marginal revenue. z) Marginal revenue equivalents the

  • Q : High-convexity portfolios outperform

    a) Whether the bond market moves up or down, high-convexity portfolios will for all time outperform low-convexity portfolios of equal duration and yield." Elucidate the argument supporting this statement and the connection to the classical immunization strategy. What

  • Q : When are transaction costs to ultimate

    Transaction costs to ultimate consumers are reduced if: (w) consumers travel long distances to buy directly from manufacturers quite than buying the goods at local retail stores. (x) intermediaries generate income while conveying goods from manufactur

  • Q : Contrast a vertically integrated firm

    Contrast a vertically integrated firm, a horizontally integrated firm, and a conglomerate?