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Miles is considering buying a new pickup truck for his lawn service firm. The ec

ID: 406554 • Letter: M

Question

Miles is considering buying a new pickup truck for his lawn service firm. The economy in town seems to be growing, and he is wondering whether he should opt for a subcompact, compact, or full-size pickup truck. The smaller truck would have better fuel economy, but would sacrifice capacity and some durability. A friend at the Bureau of Economic Research told him that there is a 30% chance of lower gas prices in his area this year, a 20% chance of higher gas prices, and a 50% chance that gas prices will stay roughly unchanged. Based on this information, Miles has developed a decision table that indicates the profit amount he would end up with after a year for each combination of truck and gas prices.

States of Nature

Alternatives

Lower gas prices

Gas prices unchanged

Higher gas prices

Probability

.3

.5

.2

Subcompact

$16,000

$21,000

$23,000

Compact

$15,000

$20,000

$22,000

Full size

$18,000

$19,000

$6,000

Calculate the expected monetary value for full size

20 points   

QUESTION 9

Miles is considering buying a new pickup truck for his lawn service firm. The economy in town seems to be growing, and he is wondering whether he should opt for a subcompact, compact, or full-size pickup truck. The smaller truck would have better fuel economy, but would sacrifice capacity and some durability. A friend at the Bureau of Economic Research told him that there is a 30% chance of lower gas prices in his area this year, a 20% chance of higher gas prices, and a 50% chance that gas prices will stay roughly unchanged. Based on this information, Miles has developed a decision table that indicates the profit amount he would end up with after a year for each combination of truck and gas prices.

States of Nature

Alternatives

Lower gas prices

Gas prices unchanged

Higher gas prices

Probability

.3

.5

.2

Subcompact

$16,000

$21,000

$23,000

Compact

$15,000

$20,000

$22,000

Full size

$18,000

$19,000

$6,000

Which option would you recommend for Miles?

Subcompact

Compact

Full size

There is no difference among the options

States of Nature

Alternatives

Lower gas prices

Gas prices unchanged

Higher gas prices

Probability

.3

.5

.2

Subcompact

$16,000

$21,000

$23,000

Compact

$15,000

$20,000

$22,000

Full size

$18,000

$19,000

$6,000

Explanation / Answer

Miles should go for subcompact as it has a higher EMV.

EMV for Subcompact 0.3*16000+0.5*21000+0.2*23000 = $19,900 EMV for Compact 0.3*15000+0.5*20000+0.2*22000 = $18,900 EMV for Full size 0.3*18000+0.5*19000+0.2*6000 = $16,100