Microeconomic Theory
12th Edition
ISBN: 9781337517942
Author: NICHOLSON
Publisher: Cengage
expand_more
expand_more
format_list_bulleted
Question
Chapter 7, Problem 7.2P
To determine
To find:
Whether the risk-taking behaviour is common or not and factors affecting it.
Expert Solution & Answer
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solution
Students have asked these similar questions
Why do economists say that people tend to be risk-averse?
Which of the following shapes is the most likely plot of the utility-of-wealth function
for a risk-averse person?
Utility
OA
B
D
B
D
A
Wealth
C
Economists define the 'certainty equivalent' of a risky stream of income as the amount of guaranteed money an
individual would accept instead of taking a risk. The certainty equivalent varies between individuals based on their risk
preference. Consider a risky bet that involves a 50-50 chance of losing $5,000 or winning $5,000 for an individual with
starting income of $50,000. Calculate the certainty equivalent income that provides the same utility as this bet for
individuals with these different utility functions: a. U(1) Vi b. U(1) = In(1) where In represents the natural logarithm
function C. U(I) = -1/1 d. What can you conclude about the relative level of risk aversion for these three individuals? e
What would be the certainty equivalent income for this bet for a risk neutral individual? f. What is the likelihood that a
profit maximizing risk neutral insurance company would be willing and able to purchase these bets from the individuals
in a, b and c? Explain.
Knowledge Booster
Similar questions
- Which of the following describes the attribute of a risk neutral investor? Select one: a. An investor that makes decisions based on the advice of financial planners. b. An investor that makes decisions based on the expected return of assets. C. An investor that makes decisions based on the credit rating of assets.arrow_forwardQuestion 3: Jane has utility function over her net income U(Y)=Y2 a. What are Jane's preferences towards risk? Is she risk averse, risk neutral or risk loving? [Briefly explain your answer] b. Jane drives to work every day and she spends a lot of money on parking meters. She is considering of cheating and not paying for the parking. However, she knows that there is a 1/4 probability of being caught on a given day if she cheats, and that the cost of the ticket is $36. Her daily income is $100. What is the maximum amount of she will be willing to pay for one day parking? c. Paul also faces the same dilemma every single day. However, he has a utility function U(Y)-Y. His daily income is also $100. What is Paul's preference towards risk? Is he risk averse, risk neutral or risk loving? d. If the price of one day parking is $9.25, will Paul cheat or pay the parking meter? Will Jane cheat or pay the parking meter?arrow_forwardAa4arrow_forward
- Define risk aversion and give an example of a risk-averse person?arrow_forwardEconomists define the ‘certainty equivalent’ of a risky stream of income as the amount of guaranteed money an individual would accept instead of taking a risk. The certainty equivalent varies between individuals based on their risk preference. Consider a risky bet that involves a 25% chance of losing $5,000 or a 75% winning $5,000 for an individual with starting income of $50,000. Calculate the certainty equivalent income that provides the same utility as this bet for individuals with these different utility functions: 1. U(I) = I 2. U(I) = I–√ 3. U(I) = ln(I)where ln represents the natural logarithm function Type the numerical answers in the corresponding numbered boxes below. Round your answers to two decimal places. Do not use $ or , in your answers. (for example, enter 45223.45 or 46500.00) What can you conclude about the relative level of risk aversion for these three individuals? Explain.arrow_forwardLet W0 represents an individual’s current wealth and U(W) is this individual’s von Neumann-Morgenstern utility index (or utility function) that reflects how s/he feels about various levels of wealth. Assume this individual marginal utility of wealth decreases a wealth increases. Which of the following statements is true? a. This individual will prefer to keep his or her current wealth rather than taking a fair gamble. b. For this individual, a 50-50 chance of winning or losing c dollars yields less expected utility than does refusing the bet. c. This individual is said to be risk averse. d. All of the above.arrow_forward
- What is covariance, and why is it important in portfolio theory?arrow_forwardMicroeconomics Wilfred’s expected utility function is px1^0.5+(1−p)x2^0.5, where p is the probability that he consumes x1 and 1 - p is the probability that he consumes x2. Wilfred is offered a choice between getting a sure payment of $Z or a lottery in which he receives $2500 with probability p = 0.4 and $3700 with probability 1 - p. Wilfred will choose the sure payment if Z > CE and the lottery if Z < CE, where the value of CE is equal to ___ (please round your final answer to two decimal places if necessary)arrow_forwardUsing the 3-point curved line drawing tool, draw a utility function for income that describes a person who is a risk lover. Label it 'Utility.' Carefully follow the instructions above, and only draw the required object. 500- 400- 300- 200- 100- Utility 20 40 60 Income (thousands) 80 100arrow_forward
- Jamal has a utility function U= W1/2 where Wis his wealth in millions of 'dollars and Uis the utility he obtains from that wealth. In the final stage of a game show, the host offers Jamal a choice between (A) $4 million for sure, or (B) a gamble that pays $1million with a probability of 0.6 and $9 million with a probability of 0.4. a. Graph Jamal's utility function. Is he risk-averse? Explain. b. Does A or B offer, Jamal, a higher expected price? Explain your reasoning with appropriate calculations. (Hint: The expected value of a random variable is the weighted average of the possible outcomes, where the probabilities are the weights.) c. Does A or B offer Jamal a higher expected utility? Again, show your calculations. d. Should Jamal pick A or B? Why?arrow_forwardPablo must choose among options A, B, and C. Option A gives him $10,000 for sure. Option B gives him $4,000 with probability 0.5 or $16,000 with probability 0.5. Option C gives him $8,000 with probability 0.5 or $12,000 with probability 0.5. If he receives diminishing marginal utility from wealth, what will Pablo choose?arrow_forwardWhy are investors’ utility curves important in portfolio theory?arrow_forward
arrow_back_ios
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
arrow_forward_ios
Recommended textbooks for you
Economics (MindTap Course List)EconomicsISBN:9781337617383Author:Roger A. ArnoldPublisher:Cengage Learning
Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:9781337617383
Author:Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:Cengage Learning