Chapter 9, Problem 9PA

### Brief Principles of Macroeconomics...

8th Edition
N. Gregory Mankiw
ISBN: 9781337091985

Chapter
Section

### Brief Principles of Macroeconomics...

8th Edition
N. Gregory Mankiw
ISBN: 9781337091985
Textbook Problem

# Jamal has a utility function U = W1/2, where W is his wealth in millions of dollars and U is 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$1 million with probability 0.6 and \$9 million with probability 0.4.a. Graph Jamal’s utility function. Is he risk averse? Explain.b. Does A or B offer Jamal a higher expected prize? 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?

Sub part (a):

To determine

Diminishing marginal utility.

Explanation

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

Sub Part (b):

To determine

Expected value.

Sub part (c):

To determine

Expected utility.

Sub part (d):

To determine

greaterExpected utility.

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