Question
In all questions assume that all individuals are expected utility maximizers and that for each one of them utility from life is 1 and utility
In all questions assume that all individuals are expected utility maximizers and that for each one of them utility from life is 1 and utility from death is zero. Therefore, the expected utility a person receives from the lottery (life,p; death,1 p) is p. Passing through the strait of Narrowtar, the Majestic sank. All 150 of the passengers and crew members jumped into the life boats. One hundred of them sailed north, to the island of Northtan, while fifty sailed south, to the island of Southtan. In the morning the local cyclops of each island will discover the intruders and eat them. We have one boat that can carry n people (on top of the boats crew) and we have enough time to sail to one, but only one, of these two islands. We decide that if we reach an island and the number of people there is greater than n, well draw n of them at random.
a.. Suppose that we reached Northtan. Write the probability each person in this and in the other island will be saved as a function of n. (Obviously, the probability for each person in Southtan it is zero).
b.. Suppose that we reached Southtan. Write the probability each person in this and in the other island will be saved as a function of n.
c.. Suppose we decide to go to Northtan with probability p and to Southtan with probability 1p. What is the survival probability of each person in Northtan? And in Southtan? Here too, these probabilities are functions of n.
d.. Suppose that we want to maximize the sum of the (expected) utilities of the 150 individuals. With what probability p should we go to Northtan if n = 40? 50? 60? 80? 100? 120?
Step by Step Solution
There are 3 Steps involved in it
Step: 1
Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions
See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success
Step: 2
Step: 3
Ace Your Homework with AI
Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance
Get Started