A risk averse individual faces a risk. The individual's utility function is U(W)= In(W) where W is the wealth of the individual. The individual has an initial amount of wealth of 1000$. 20% of the time, the individual will lose 200$. The other 80% of the time, his wealth remains at its initial level. a) An insurer offers a premium of 50$ to the individual. Should the risk averse individual accept the deal? b) Now suppose that the risk averse individual has an initial wealth of 400$ instead of 1000$. The premium is still 50$. Should he accept the deal? c) Would a risk neutral individual accept a premium of 50$? Show why or why not by calculating the expected utility of the risk neutral individual.

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
14th Edition
ISBN:9780190931919
Author:NEWNAN
Publisher:NEWNAN
Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1QTC
icon
Related questions
Question
2) Insurance Contract
A risk averse individual faces a risk. The individual's utility function is U(W)= In(W) where W
is the wealth of the individual. The individual has an initial amount of wealth of 1000$. 20%
of the time, the individual will lose 200$. The other 80% of the time, his wealth remains at its
initial level.
a) An insurer offers a premium of 50$ to the individual. Should the risk averse individual
accept the deal?
b) Now suppose that the risk averse individual has an initial wealth of 400$ instead of 1000$.
The premium is still 50$. Should he accept the deal?
c) Would a risk neutral individual accept a premium of 50$? Show why or why not by
calculating the expected utility of the risk neutral individual.
Transcribed Image Text:2) Insurance Contract A risk averse individual faces a risk. The individual's utility function is U(W)= In(W) where W is the wealth of the individual. The individual has an initial amount of wealth of 1000$. 20% of the time, the individual will lose 200$. The other 80% of the time, his wealth remains at its initial level. a) An insurer offers a premium of 50$ to the individual. Should the risk averse individual accept the deal? b) Now suppose that the risk averse individual has an initial wealth of 400$ instead of 1000$. The premium is still 50$. Should he accept the deal? c) Would a risk neutral individual accept a premium of 50$? Show why or why not by calculating the expected utility of the risk neutral individual.
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Compensating Differential
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Economics
ISBN:
9780190931919
Author:
NEWNAN
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134078779
Author:
Karl E. Case, Ray C. Fair, Sharon E. Oster
Publisher:
PEARSON
Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134870069
Author:
William G. Sullivan, Elin M. Wicks, C. Patrick Koelling
Publisher:
PEARSON
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781305585126
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Economics
ISBN:
9781337106665
Author:
Luke M. Froeb, Brian T. McCann, Michael R. Ward, Mike Shor
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…
Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…
Economics
ISBN:
9781259290619
Author:
Michael Baye, Jeff Prince
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education