Intermediate Microeconomics · free preview

Expected Utility

Von Neumann-Morgenstern preferences weight each state's utility by its probability, EU equals pi one times v of c one plus pi two times v of c two, the independence axiom pins the form, and probability weighting makes utility cardinal again for risk.

1. Averages of utilities, not utility of averages

Averages of utilities, not utility of averages

2. The independence axiom

The independence axiom

3. Computing a worked gamble

Computing a worked gamble

4. Probability matching in the budget

Probability matching in the budget

5. The form of the objective

Which expression is the expected utility of the bundle (c1, c2) with probabilities (pi1, pi2)?

6. Independence content

What does the independence axiom assert?

7. The worked gamble's EU

For v the square root and the 50-50 states 225 and 25, what is the expected utility?

8. Slope on the diagonal

For expected utility, what is the indifference curve slope at the certainty diagonal, and why does it match fair odds?

9. A smaller gamble's EU

For v the square root and 50-50 states 100 and 36, compute the expected utility, and write the number.

10. Utility of the mean

Same gamble, compute v of the expected wealth, that is the square root of 68, rounded to two decimals, and write the number.

11. A new pair of states

For v the square root and 50-50 states 49 and 169, what is the expected utility?

12. The Jensen gap measured

For the 50-50 gamble over 225 and 25, the mean wealth is 125. How does the utility of 125 compare with the expected utility of 10?

13. Matching state odds

With loss probability one quarter, what is the expected-utility indifference curve's slope at the certainty diagonal?

14. Small-stakes arithmetic

For v the square root and 50-50 states 16 and 36, compute the expected utility, and write your answer's match among the options.

15. Expected utility of tiny states

For v the square root and 50-50 states 4 and 16, compute the expected utility, and write the number.

16. Utility of the certain mean

For the 50-50 gamble over states 16 and 36, compute the square root of the mean wealth 26, rounded to two decimals, and write the number.

Practice this interactively

Free account · instant grading · spaced review that schedules itself.

Start this course for free