Quantitative Methods for Business - Utility and Game Theory
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Quantitative Methods for Business
Chapter 5 – Utility and Game Theory
Chapter 5 Exercises
7. Suppose that the point spread for a particular sporting event is 10 points and that with this spread you are convinced you would have a 0.60 probability of winning a bet on your team. However, the local bookie will accept only a $1000 bet. Assuming that such bets are legal, would you bet on your team? (Disregard any commission charged by the bookie.) Remember that you must pay losses out of your own pocket. Your payoff table is as follows:
a. What decision does the expected value approach recommend?
Compute the expected value using the formula:
EV (d) = pv
1
+ (1-p) v
2
Here, p
1
and p
2
are probabilities, and v
1
and v
2
are the best and the worst payoffs.
EV (bet) = 0.60 x 1000 + 0.40 x -1000
1 | P a g e
= 600 – 400
= $200
EV (do not bet) = 0.60 (0) + 0.40 (0)
= $0
The expected value for the bet is $200, and to bet is the most suitable option,
Therefore the recommended decision is to bet, d
1
b. What is your indifference probability for the $0 payoff? (Although this choice isn’t easy, be as
realistic as possible. It is required for an analysis that reflects your attitude toward risk.)
Compute the expected value using the formula:
EV (d) = pv
1
+ (1-p) v
2
Here, p
1
and p
2
are the probability values, and v
1
and v
2
are the best and the worst payoffs
EV (bet) = 1000p – 1000(1-p)
EV (do not bet) = p x 0 + (1-p) x 0
= 0
Set both the expected value equal to the probability.
1000p – 1000 (1-p) = p x 0 + (1-p) x 0
1000p – 1000 + 1000p = 0
2000p = 1000
P = 0.5
As a result, the indifference probabilities are equal to 0.5 for failure or success.
2 | P a g e
c. What decision would you make based on the expected utility approach? In this case are you a risk taker or a risk avoider? As obtained in part (b), the indifference probabilities are equal to 0.5.
Assign utility 10 for the best payoffs and 0 for the worst payoffs.
Compute the utility value for the percentage viewing audience by using the indifference probability.
Bet or do not bet
Indifference probability
Utility value
1000
0
10
-1000
0
0
0
0.50
10 x 0.50 = 5
Compute the expected utility by adding the value of multiplications of the utility value, and the probability of a win or a loss.
EU (win) = 0.6 x 10 + 0.4 x 0
= 6 + 0
= 6
EU (loss) = 0.40 x 9 + 0.6 x 9
= 3.6 + 5.4
= 9
The expected utility of a loss is greater than the expected utility of a win. Consequently, the decision (Do not bet” should be selected. Refer to part (a), the recommendation was also to bet on the basic of expected value. Consequently, the decision is a risk avoider.
Therefore, “Do not bet” decision should be selected. Risk Avoider.
3 | P a g e
d. Would other individuals assess the same utility values you do? Explain. No. If the utility value is dependent on the indifference probability, the utility values will be different for other people. The utility values will be different for different individuals as the utility value depends on the indifference probability.
e. If your decision in part (c) was to place the bet, repeat the analysis assuming a minimum bet of
$10,000.
As obtained in part (b), the indifference probabilities are 0.5. Assign utility 10 for the best payoffs and 0 for the worst payoffs. Compute the utility value for the percentage viewing audience using the indifference probability.
Bet or do not bet
Indifference probability
Utility value
1000
0
10
-1000
0
0
0
0.50
10 x 0.50 = 5
Compute the expected utility by adding the value of the multiplications of the utility value and the probability of a win or a loss.
EU (win) = 0.6 x 10 + 4 x 0
= 6 + 0
= 6
EU (loss) = 0.40 x 9 + 0.6 x 9
= 3.6 + 5.4
= 9
4 | P a g e
The expected utility of a loss is greater than the expected utility of a win. Consequently, the decision for a ‘do not bet’ should be selected.
9. A new product has the following profit projections and associated probabilities:
a. Use the expected value approach to decide whether to market the new product. Compute the expected value using the formula:
EV (Profit) = ∑
i
=
1
n
p
i
v
i
Here, p
1
and p
2
are probability values and v
1
and v
2
are payoffs
EV (Profit) = ∑
i
=
1
n
p
i
v
i
= (0.10 x 150000 + 0.25 x 100000 + 0.20 x 50000 + 0.15 x 0 + 0.20 x -50000 + 0.10 x 100000)
= 15000 + 25000 + 10000 + 0 – 10000 – 10000
= 30000
The expected value for profit is positive. So the recommendation is to launch a new model.
The expected value for profit is $30,000. So, it is recommended to begin with a new model.
b. Because of the high dollar values involved, especially the possibility of a $100,000 loss, the marketing vice president has expressed some concern about the use of the expected value approach. As a consequence, if a utility analysis is performed, what is the appropriate lottery? 5 | P a g e
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