Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Course List)
Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Course List)
8th Edition
ISBN: 9781305971509
Author: N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Question
Book Icon
Chapter 14, Problem 9PA

Sub part (a):

To determine

Diminishing marginal utility.

Sub part (a):

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

The utility function is W12 . Since the power function is less than one, the marginal utility will be diminishing. It implies that the person is risk averse.

Figure 1 illustrates the diminishing marginal utility.

Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Course List), Chapter 14, Problem 9PA

In Figure 1, the horizontal axis measures the quantity of wealth and the vertical axis measures the utility. When the quantity of wealth increases then the additional utility decreases.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Marginal utility: Marginal utility refers to the additional units of satisfaction derived from one more additional unit of goods and services.

Diminishing marginal utility: Diminishing marginal utility refers to a decrease in the additional satisfaction as a result of increasing the consumption.

Sub Part (b):

To determine

Expected value.

Sub Part (b):

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Since the value is sure, the probability is 1. Expected value of A can be calculated as follows:

Expected value=Probability×Wealth=1×4,000,000=4,000,000

Expected value of A is $4,000,000.

Expected value of B can be calculated as follows.

Expected value=(Probability1×Wealth1)+(Probability2×Wealth2)=(0.6×1,000,000)+(0.4×9,000,000)=600,000+3,600,000=4,200,000

Expected value of B is $4,200,000. Thus, B offers higher value.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Risk is the future uncertainty about deviation from expected earnings or expected outcome. Risk measures the uncertainty situation that an investor is willing to take to realize a gain from an investment.

Risk aversion: Risk aversion can be defined as it is a dislike of an uncertainty.

Marginal utility: Marginal utility refers to the additional units of satisfaction derived from one more additional unit of goods and services.

Diminishing marginal utility: Diminishing marginal utility refers to a decrease in the additional satisfaction as a result of increasing the consumption.

Sub part (c):

To determine

Expected utility.

Sub part (c):

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Expected utility of A can be calculated as follows:

Expected value=Wealth12=4,000,00012=2,000

Expected utility of A is $2,000.

Expected utility of B can be calculated as follows.

Expected value=(Probability1×Wealth112)+(Probability2×Wealth212)=(0.6×1,000,00012)+(0.4×9,000,00012)=(0.6×1,000)+(0.4×3,000)=600+1,200=1,800

Expected utility of B is $1,800.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Risk is the future uncertainty about deviation from expected earnings or expected outcome. Risk measures the uncertainty situation that an investor is willing to take to realize a gain from an investment.

Risk aversion: Risk aversion can be defined as it is a dislike of an uncertainty.

Marginal utility: Marginal utility refers to the additional units of satisfaction derived from one more additional unit of goods and services.

Diminishing marginal utility: Diminishing marginal utility refers to a decrease in the additional satisfaction as a result of increasing the consumption.

Sub part (d):

To determine

greaterExpected utility.

Sub part (d):

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Since the expected utility from B is greater than A, the person should select A.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Risk is the future uncertainty about deviation from expected earnings or expected outcome. Risk measures the uncertainty situation that an investor is willing to take to realize a gain from an investment.

Risk aversion: Risk aversion can be defined as it is a dislike of an uncertainty.

Marginal utility: Marginal utility refers to the additional units of satisfaction derived from one more additional unit of goods and services.

Diminishing marginal utility: Diminishing marginal utility refers to a decrease in the additional satisfaction as a result of increasing the consumption.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
a) Assume there are two firms, 1 and 2, competing as Cournot duopolists in a market, selling a homogeneous product. Demand is given by p = 36 – (q1 + q2), where p is price and q1 and q2 are the outputs of firms 1 and 2 respectively. Each firm faces a marginal cost of 6 per unit of output and no fixed cost. Find each firm’s optimal output, the price at which they sell, each firm’s profit , and consumer surplus.  b) Now assume that the firms face the same costs, but horizontally differentiate their product, so that firm 1 faces demand p1 = 36 – (q1 + q2/2) and firm 2 faces demand p2 = 36 – (q1/2 + q2). Assume Cournot competition. Calculate the new equilibrium prices and outputs for each firm, consumer surplus and profits.  c) Now assume that rather than facing a given degree of product differentiation, the firms can choosehowdifferentiatedtheirproductsare.Thisisequivalenttoinversedemandequationsp1 =36 –(q1 +θq2)andp2 =36–(θq1 +q2),0≤θ≤1,withθdeterminedbythefirms’choicesofproduct…
Assume there are two firms, 1 and 2, competing as Cournot duopolists in a market, selling a homogeneous product. Demand is given by p = 36 – (q1 + q2), where p is price and q1 and q2 are the outputs of firms 1 and 2 respectively. Each firm faces a marginal cost of 6 per unit of output and no fixed cost. Find each firm’s optimal output, the price at which they sell, each firm’s profit , and consumer surplus.
What is the relationship between the humanities and self identity
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:9781337091992
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Brief Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Cours...
Economics
ISBN:9781337091985
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Microeconomic Theory
Economics
ISBN:9781337517942
Author:NICHOLSON
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Economics
ISBN:9781337106665
Author:Luke M. Froeb, Brian T. McCann, Michael R. Ward, Mike Shor
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:9781337617383
Author:Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Microeconomics
Economics
ISBN:9781337617406
Author:Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:Cengage Learning