The current average diesel price is about 145 pence per litre. Your friend firmly believes that the average diesel price will shoot over 160 pence per litre for the Christmas period due to supply and logistics problems while you think, with the mitigation policies from the government, that there is a 60% probability that it will remain below 160 pence per litre. The two of you decide to bet on the outcome with x pounds: if you win, your friend pays you x pounds and vice versa. Your current wealth is 5,000 pounds which is also the maximum amount you can bet. As an expected utility maximiser, should you bet, and why or why not? If you do bet, what is the optimal amount that you should bet to maximise your expected utility?

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
14th Edition
ISBN:9780190931919
Author:NEWNAN
Publisher:NEWNAN
Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1QTC
icon
Related questions
Question

The current average diesel price is about 145 pence per litre. Your friend firmly believes that the average diesel price will shoot over 160 pence per litre for the Christmas period due to supply and logistics problems while you think, with the mitigation policies from the government, that there is a 60% probability that it will remain below 160 pence per litre. The two of you decide to bet on the outcome with x pounds: if you win, your friend pays you x pounds and vice versa. Your current wealth is 5,000 pounds which is also the maximum amount you can bet. As an expected utility maximiser, should you bet, and why or why not? If you do bet, what is the optimal amount that you should bet to maximise your expected utility? 

Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Probability and Expected Value
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Economics
ISBN:
9780190931919
Author:
NEWNAN
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134078779
Author:
Karl E. Case, Ray C. Fair, Sharon E. Oster
Publisher:
PEARSON
Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134870069
Author:
William G. Sullivan, Elin M. Wicks, C. Patrick Koelling
Publisher:
PEARSON
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781305585126
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Economics
ISBN:
9781337106665
Author:
Luke M. Froeb, Brian T. McCann, Michael R. Ward, Mike Shor
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…
Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…
Economics
ISBN:
9781259290619
Author:
Michael Baye, Jeff Prince
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education