Chapter 13 Decision Analysis Test Bank
Chapter 13 Decision Analysis Test Bank
Chapter 13 Decision Analysis Test Bank
2. States of nature should be defined so that one and only one will actually occur.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Structuring the decision
process
5. Circular nodes in a decision tree indicate that it would be incorrect to choose a path from the node.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision
trees
6. Risk analysis helps the decision maker recognize the difference between the expected value of a decision alternative
and the payoff that may actually occur.
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8. Expected value is the sum of the weighted payoff possibilities at a circular node in a decision tree.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making with
probabilities
10. After all probabilities and payoffs are placed on a decision tree, the decision maker calculates expected values at state
of nature nodes and makes selections at decision nodes.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Developing a decision
strategy
11. A decision strategy is a sequence of decisions and chance outcomes, where the decisions chosen depend on the yet to
be determined outcomes of chance events.
a. True
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12. EVPI equals the expected regret associated with the minimax decision.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Minimax regret
approach
13. The expected value approach is more appropriate for a one-time decision than a repetitive decision.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making with
probabilities
14. Maximizing the expected payoff and minimizing the expected opportunity loss result in the same recommended
decision.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Minimax regret
approach
15. The expected value of sample information can never be less than the expected value of perfect information.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Expected value of sample information
16. The minimum expected opportunity loss provides the best decision, regardless of whether the decision analysis
involves minimization or maximization.
a. True
b. Fals
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17. The primary value of decision trees is as a useful way of organizing how operations managers think about complex
multiphase decisions.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision
trees
18. A high efficiency rating indicates that the sample information is almost as good as perfect information.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Efficiency of sample information
19. When the expected value approach is used to select a decision alternative, the payoff that actually occurs will usually
have a value different from the expected value.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making with
probabilities
20. The decision alternative with the best expected monetary value will always be the most desirable decision.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Meaning of
utility
21. When monetary value is not the sole measure of the true worth of the outcome to the decision maker, monetary value
should be replaced by utility.
a. True
b. Fals
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22. The outcome with the highest payoff will also have the highest utility.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Developing utilities for monetary
payoffs
23. Expected utility is a particularly useful tool when payoffs stay in a range considered reasonable by the decision maker.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Meaning of
utility
24. To assign utilities, consider the best and worst payoffs in the entire decision situation.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Developing utilities for monetary
payoffs
26. The expected utility is the utility of the expected monetary value.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: False
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27. The risk premium is never negative for a conservative decision maker.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Developing utilities for monetary
payoffs
28. The risk neutral decision maker will have the same indications from the expected value and expected utility
approaches.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Expected monetary value versus expected utility
29. The utility function for a risk avoider typically shows a diminishing marginal return for money.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Developing utilities for monetary
payoffs
30. The expected monetary value approach and the expected utility approach to decision making usually result in the same
decision choice unless extreme payoffs are involved.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Utility and decision
making
31. A risk neutral decision maker will have a linear utility function.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
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32. Given two decision makers, one risk neutral and the other a risk avoider, the risk avoider will always give a lower
utility value for a given outcome.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Developing utilities for monetary
payoffs
33. When the payoffs become extreme, most decision makers are satisfied with the decision that provides the best
expected monetary value.
a. True
b. Fals
e
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Meaning of
utility
Multiple Choice
34. The options from which a decision maker chooses a course of action are
a. called the decision alternatives.
b. under the control of the decision
maker.
c. not the same as the states of nature.
d. All of the alternatives are true.
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Structuring the decision problem
36. A payoff
a. is always measured in profit.
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39. Which of the methods for decision making best protects the decision maker from undesirable results?
a. the optimistic approach
b. the conservative
approach
c. minimum regret
d. minimax regret
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Conservative approach
42. If P(high) = .3, P(low) = .7, P(favorable | high) = .9, and P(unfavorable | low) = .6, then P(favorable) =
a. .10
b. .27
c. .30
d. .55
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Conditional
probability
46. For a minimization problem, the optimistic approach is often referred to as the
a. minimax approach
b. maximin approach
c. maximax
approach
d. minimin approach
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making without probabilities
47. For a maximization problem, the optimistic approach is often referred to as the
a. minimax approach
b. maximin approach
c. maximax
approach
d. minimin approach
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making without probabilities
48. For a minimization problem, the conservative approach is often referred to as the
a. minimax approach
b. maximin approach
c. maximax
approach
d. minimin approach
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making without probabilities
50. Which of the following approaches to decision making requires knowledge of the probabilities of the states of nature?
a. minimax
regret
b. maximin
c. expected value
d. conservative
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making with
probabilities
52. Which of the following is not an advantage of using decision tree analysis?
a. the ability to see clearly what decisions must be made
b. the ability to see clearly in what sequence the decisions must
occur
c. the ability to see clearly the interdependence of decisions
d. the ability to see clearly the future outcome of a decision
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making with
probabilities
55. The difference between the expected value of an optimal strategy based on sample information and the "best"
expected value without any sample information is called the
a. information sensitivity.
b. expected value of sample
information.
c. expected value of perfect information.
d. efficiency of sample information.
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Expected value of sample information
56. When consequences are measured on a scale that reflects a decision maker's attitude toward profit, loss, and risk,
payoffs are replaced by
a. utility values.
b. multicriteria measures.
c. sample information.
d. opportunity loss.
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Meaning of
utility
57. The purchase of insurance and lottery tickets shows that people make decisions based on
a. expected value.
b. sample information.
c. utility.
d. maximum
likelihood.
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Meaning of
utility
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61. If the payoff from outcome A is twice the payoff from outcome B, then the ratio of these utilities will be
a. 2 to 1.
b. less than 2 to 1.
c. more than 2 to 1.
d. unknown without further
information.
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Utility
functions
62. The probability for which a decision maker cannot choose between a certain amount and a lottery based on that
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63. A decision maker has chosen .4 as the probability for which he cannot choose between a certain loss of 10,000 and the
lottery p(-25000) + (1 - p)(5000). If the utility of -25,000 is 0 and of 5000 is 1, then the utility of -10,000 is
a. .5
b. .6
c. .4
d. 4
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Utility
functions
64. When the decision maker prefers a guaranteed payoff value that is smaller than the expected value of the lottery, the
decision maker is
a. a risk
avoider.
b. a risk taker.
c. an optimist.
d. an optimizer.
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Risk avoiders versus risk
takers
66. When the utility function for a risk-neutral decision maker is graphed (with monetary value on the horizontal axis and
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67. Jim has been employed at Gold Key Realty at a salary of $2,000 per month during the past year. Because Jim is
considered to be a top salesman, the manager of Gold Key is offering him one of three salary plans for the next year: (1) a
25% raise to $2,500 per month; (2) a base salary of $1,000 plus $600 per house sold; or, (3) a straight commission of
$1,000 per house sold. Over the past year, Jim has sold up to 6 homes in a month.
a. Compute the monthly salary payoff table for Jim.
b. For this payoff table find Jim's optimal decision using: (1) the conservative approach, (2)
minimax regret approach.
c. Suppose that during the past year the following is Jim's distribution of home sales. If one
assumes that this a typical distribution for Jim's monthly sales, which salary plan should Jim
select?
68. East West Distributing is in the process of trying to determine where they should schedule next year's production of a
popular line of kitchen utensils that they distribute. Manufacturers in four different countries have submitted bids to East
West. However, a pending trade bill in Congress will greatly affect the cost to East West due to proposed tariffs, favorable
trading status, etc.
After careful analysis, East West has determined the following cost breakdown for the four manufacturers (in $1,000's)
based on whether or not the trade bill passes:
Bill Passes Bill Fails
Country A 260 210
Country B 320 160
Country C 240 240
Country D 275 210
If East West estimates that there is a 40% chance of the bill passing, which country should
a.
they choose for manufacturing?
b. Over what range of values for the "bill passing" will the solution in part (a) remain optimal?
ANSWER
: Using EV approach: EV(A) = 230, EV(B) = 224, EV(C) = 240; Choose Country B
a.
(lowest EV)
b As long as the probability of the bill passing is less than .455, East West should choose
. Country B.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making with probabilities
69. Transrail is bidding on a project that it figures will cost $400,000 to perform. Using a 25% markup, it will charge
$500,000, netting a profit of $100,000. However, it has been learned that another company, Rail Freight, is also
considering bidding on the project. If Rail Freight does submit a bid, it figures to be a bid of about $470,000. Transrail
really wants this project and is considering a bid with only a 15% markup to $460,000 to ensure winning regardless of
whether or not Rail Freight submits a bid.
a. Prepare a profit payoff table from Transrail's point of view.
b. What decision would be made if Transrail were conservative?
If Rail Freight is known to submit bids on only 25% of the projects it considers, what
c.
decision should Transrail make?
Given the information in (c), how much would a corporate spy be worth to Transrail to find
d.
out if Rail Freight will bid?
ANSWER
: a. Rail Freight
Transrail Bid $470,000 Doesn't Bid
Bid $500,000 $0 $100,000
Bid $460,000 $60,000 $ 60,000
b. Bid $460,000
c. Bid $500,000
d. $15,000
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making with and without probabilities
70. The Super Cola Company must decide whether or not to introduce a new diet soft drink. Management feels that if it
does introduce the diet soda it will yield a profit of $1 million if sales are around 100 million, a profit of $200,000 if sales
are around 50 million, or it will lose $2 million if sales are only around 1 million bottles. If Super Cola does not market
the new diet soda, it will suffer a loss of $400,000.
a. Construct a payoff table for this problem.
b. Construct a regret table for this problem.
c. Should Super Cola introduce the soda if the company: (1) is conservative; (2) is optimistic;
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REGRET
b. Sales ($millions)
TABLE
100 50 1
Introduce $0 $0 $1,600,000
Do Not
$1,400,000 $600,000 $0
Introduce
71. Super Cola is also considering the introduction of a root beer drink. The company feels that the probability that the
product will be a success is .6. The payoff table is as follows:
The company has a choice of two research firms to obtain information for this product. Stanton Marketing has market
indicators, I1 and I2 for which P(I1 | s1) = .7 and P(I1 | s2) = .4. New World Marketing has indicators J1 and J2 for which
P(J1 | s1) = .6 and P(J1 | s2) = .3.
a. What is the optimal decision if neither firm is used? Over what probability of success range
is this decision optimal?
b. What is the EVPI?
c. Find the EVSIs and efficiencies for Stanton and New World.
d. If both firms charge $5,000, which firm should be hired?
e. If Stanton charges $10,000 and New World charges $4,000, which firm should Super Cola
hire? Why?
ANSWER
: a. Introduce root beer; p ≤ .483
b. EVPI = $112,000
NOTE: The answers to (c)-(e) are very sensitive to roundoff error.
Figures in parentheses are for two decimal places only.
c. Stanton: EVSI = $13,200 ($11,862)
Efficiency = .118 (.106)
New World: EVSI = $6,400 ($6,424)
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72. Dollar Department Stores has just acquired the chain of Wenthrope and Sons Custom Jewelers. Dollar has received an
offer from Harris Diamonds to purchase the Wenthrope store on Grove Street for $120,000. Dollar has determined
probability estimates of the store's future profitability, based on economic outcomes, as: P($80,000) = .2,
P($100,000) = .3, P($120,000) = .1, and P($140,000) = .4.
a. Should Dollar sell the store on Grove Street?
b. What is the EVPI?
Dollar can have an economic forecast performed, costing $10,000, that produces indicators
c. I1 and I2, for which P(I1 | 80,000) = .1; P(I1 | 100,000) = .2; P(I1 | 120,000) = .6; P(I1 |
140,000) = .3. Should Dollar purchase the forecast?
ANSWER
: a. Yes, Dollar should sell store
b. EVPI = $8,000
c. No; survey cost exceeds EVPI
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Computing branch probabilities
73. An appliance dealer must decide how many (if any) new microwave ovens to order for next month. The ovens cost
$220 and sell for $300. Because the oven company is coming out with a new product line in two months, any ovens not
sold next month will have to be sold at the dealer's half price clearance sale. Additionally, the appliance dealer feels he
suffers a loss of $25 for every oven demanded when he is out of stock. On the basis of past months' sales data, the dealer
estimates the probabilities of monthly demand (D) for 0, 1, 2, or 3 ovens to be .3, .4, .2, and .1, respectively.
The dealer is considering conducting a telephone survey on the customers' attitudes towards microwave ovens. The results
of the survey will either be favorable (F), unfavorable (U) or no opinion (N). The dealer's probability estimates for the
survey results based on the number of units demanded are:
74. Lakewood Fashions must decide how many lots of assorted ski wear to order for its three stores. Information on
pricing, sales, and inventory costs has led to the following payoff table, in thousands.
Demand
Order Size Low Medium High
1 lot 12 15 15
2 lots 9 25 35
3 lots 6 35 60
75. The table shows both prospective profits and losses for a company, depending on what decision is made and what
state of nature occurs. Use the information to determine what the company should do.
State of Nature
Decision s1 s2 s3
d1 30 80 -30
d2 100 30 -40
d3 -80 -10 120
d4 20 20 20
Regret Table:
State of Nature Maximum
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State of Nature
Decision s1 s2 s3
d1 10 8 6
d2 14 15 2
d3 7 8 9
State of Nature
Decision s1 s2 s3
d1 250 750 500
d2 300 -250 1200
d3 500 500 600
78. A decision maker has developed the following decision tree. How sensitive is the choice between N and P to the
probabilities of states of nature U and V?
ANSWER: Choose N if p ≤ .78.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Sensitivity analysis
79. If p is the probability of Event 1 and (1 − p) is the probability of Event 2, for what values of p would you choose A?
B? C? Values in the table are payoffs.
Choice/Event Event 1 Event 2
A 0 20
B 4 16
C 8 0
ANSWER: Choose A if p ≤ .5, choose B is .5 ≤ p ≤ .8, and choose C if p
≥ .8.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Sensitivity analysis
80. Fold back the decision tree and state what strategy should be followed.
ANSWER:
81. Fold back this decision tree. Clearly state the decision strategy you determine.
ANSWER:
82. If sample information is obtained, the result of the sample information will be either positive or negative. No matter
which result occurs, the choice to select option A or option B exists. And no matter which option is chosen, the eventual
outcome will be good or poor. Complete the table.
Sample States of Prior Conditional Joint Posterior
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83. Use graphical sensitivity analysis to determine the range of values of the probability of state of nature s 1 over which
each of the decision alternatives has its largest expected value.
State of Nature
Decision s1 s2
d1 8 10
d2 4 16
d3 10 0
ANSWER EV(d1) and EV(d2) intersect at p = .6. EV(d1) and EV(d3) intersect at p = .8333.
:
Therefore when 0 ≤ p ≤ .6, choose d2. When .6 ≤ p ≤ .8333, choose d1. When p
≥ .8333, choose d3.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Graphical sensitivity analysis
84. Dollar Department Stores has received an offer from Harris Diamonds to purchase Dollar's store on Grove Street for
$120,000. Dollar has determined probability estimates of the store's future profitability, based on economic outcomes, as:
P($80,000) = .2, P($100,000) = .3, P($120,000) = .1, and P($140,000) = .4.
a. Should Dollar sell the store on Grove Street?
b. What is the EVPI?
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85. Characterize each of the non-probabilistic approaches to decision making (i.e. - minimin, minimax, maximin, and
maximax) in terms of it relating to a minimization or maximization problem and whether it is a pessimistic or optimistic
approach.
ANSWER: Answer not provided.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making without probabilities
86.
A paint company has three sources for buying bright red pigment for their paints: Vietnam, Taiwan, or Thailand.
Unfortunately, the pigment is made from a bush whose annual growth is heavily dependent upon the amount of rainfall
during the growing season. The tables below show probabilities and prices for wet, dry and normal growing seasons:
Probabilities
Wet Dry Normal
Vietnam .5 .2 .3
Taiwan .6 .3 .1
Thailand .4 .4 .2
Price/Pound ($)
Wet Dry Normal
Vietnam .95 1.10 1.00
Taiwan .85 1.20 .98
Thailand .90 1.15 1.05
What country should the company select and what is the expected value (price) associated with it?
ANSWER:
EV (Vietnam) = .5(.95) + .2(l.10) + .3(1.00) = $.995
EV (Taiwan) = .6(.85) + .3(l.20) + .1(.98) = $.968
EV (Thailand) = .4(.90) + .4(1.15) + .2(l.05) = $1.03
87.
A regional fast-food restaurant is considering an expansion program. The major factor influencing the success of such a
program is the future level of interest rates. It is estimated that there is a 20 percent chance that interest rates will increase
by 2 percentage points, a 50 percent chance that they will remain the same, and a 30 percent chance that they will
decrease by 2 percentage points. The alternatives they are considering and possible payoffs are shown in the table below.
Which alternative is best, based on expected value?
88. A chemical company is trying to decide whether to build a pilot plant now for a new chemical process or to build the
full plant now. If they build a pilot plant now, they could expand it later to a full plant or license the plant to another
company. It would cost them $2 million to build the pilot plant and another $2 million later to expand it. If they build the
full plant now it would cost $3.5 million to construct.
The returns they expect to get from the full production plant depend upon the market. They estimate there is a 60% chance
the market will be robust, a 30% chance it will remain stable, and a 10% chance it will become stagnate. The returns are
estimated to be $5 million if it is robust, $3 million if it is stable, and $1 million if it is stagnate.
Before they expand the pilot plant, they plan to conduct a comprehensive study. Based on past experience, they expect the
study to report a 60% chance of favorable outcome for expansion and a 40% unfavorable chance. In either case they will
have to decide whether to expand to a full plant or license the pilot plant. If the report is favorable and they license it, they
expect to get $3 million. However, if the report is unfavorable and they license it, they will only get $1 million.
Develop a decision tree for this problem and determine the optimal decision strategy.
ANSWER
:
Company should build pilot plant. If report is unfavorable, company should expand. If report is favorable,
company should license. EV of $600,000.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Expected value and decision trees
89.
A manufacturing company is considering expanding its production capacity to meet a growing demand for its product line
of air fresheners. The alternatives are to build a new plant, expand the old plant, or do nothing. The marketing
department estimates a 35 percent probability of a market upturn, a 40 percent probability of a stable market, and a 25
percent probability of a market downturn. Georgia Swain, the firm's capital appropriations analyst, estimates the
following annual returns for these alternatives:
90.
The Sunshine Manufacturing Company has developed a unique new product and must now decide between two facility
plans. The first alternative is to build a large new facility immediately. The second alternative is to build a small plant
initially and to consider expanding it to a larger facility three years later if the market has proven favorable.
Marketing has provided the following probability estimates for a ten-year plan:
If the small plant is expanded, the probability of demands over the remaining seven years is 7/8 for favorable and 1/8 for
unfavorable. The accounting department has provided the payoff for each outcome:
Probabilities Revenues
Expand
very favorable .2 $80,000
favorable .2 $60,000
neutral .1 $20,000
unfavorable .3 -$20,000
very unfavorable .2 -$30,000
Don't expand
expansion .2 $50,000
steady .5 $30,000
contraction .3 $10,000
92.
State of Nature
Decision s1 s2 s3
d1 -5000 1000 10,000
d2 -15,000 -2000 40,000
Payoff Probability
10,000 .85
1000 .60
-2000 .53
-5000 .50
Let U(40,000) = 10 and U(-15,000) = 0 and find the utility value for each payoff.
c. What alternative would be chosen according to expected utility?
ANSWER
: a. EV(d1) = 3250 and EV(d2) = 10750, so choose d2.
b. Payoff Probability Utility
10,000 .85 8.5
1000 .60 6.0
-2000 .53 5.3
-5000 .50 5.0
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Expected utility approach
93.
A decision maker who is considered to be a risk taker is faced with this set of probabilities and payoffs
State of Nature
Decision s1 s2 s3
d1 5 10 20
d2 -25 0 50
d3 -50 -10 80
Probability .30 .35 .35
For the lottery p(80) + (1 - p)(-50), this decision maker has assessed the following indifference probabilities
Payoff Probability
50 .60
20 .35
10 .25
5 .22
0 .20
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Rank the decision alternatives on the basis of expected value and on the basis of expected utility.
ANSWER:
EV(d1) = 12 EV(d2) = 10 EV(d3) = 9.5
EU(d1) = 2.76 EU(d3) = 3.1 EU(d3) = 4.13
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Expected utility approach
94. Three decision makers have assessed utilities for the problem whose payoff table appears below.
State of Nature
Decision s1 s2 s3
d1 500 100 -400
d2 200 150 100
d3 -100 200 300
Probability .2 .6 .2
ANSWER
: a.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Risk avoiders versus risk takers
95.
A decision maker has the following utility function
96.
Determine decision strategies based on expected value and on expected utility for this decision tree. Use the utility
function
ANSWER
: Let U(500) = 1 and U(0) = 0. Then
Based on expected value, the decision strategy is to select B. If G happens, select J. Based on
expected utility, it is best to choose C.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Expected utility approach
97.
Burger Prince Restaurant is considering the purchase of a $100,000 fire insurance policy. The fire statistics indicate that in
a given year the probability of property damage in a fire is as follows:
a. If Burger Prince was risk neutral, how much would they be willing to pay for fire
insurance?
b. If Burger Prince has the utility values given below, approximately how much would
they be willing to pay for fire insurance?
ANSWER
: a. $1,075
b. $5,000
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making using utility
98.
Super Cola is considering the introduction of a new 8 oz. root beer. The probability that the root beer will be a success is
believed to equal .6. The payoff table is as follows:
ANSWER
: a. Risk averse
b. Produce root beer as long as p > 60/105 = .571
POINTS: 1
99.
Chez Paul is contemplating either opening another restaurant or expanding its existing location. The payoff table for these
two decisions is:
State of Nature
Decision s1 s2 s3
New Restaurant -$80,000 $20,000 $160,000
Expand -$40,000 $20,000 $100,000
Paul has calculated the indifference probability for the lottery having a payoff of $160,000 with probability p and -
$80,000 with probability (1-p) as follows:
ANSWER
: a. A risk avoider
b. Amount Utility
-$40,000 32
$20,000 56
$100,000 72
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making using utility
100.
The Dollar Department Store chain has the opportunity of acquiring either 3, 5, or 10 leases from the bankrupt Granite
Variety Store chain. Dollar estimates the profit potential of the leases depends on the state of the economy over the next
five years. There are four possible states of the economy as modeled by Dollar Department Stores and its president
estimates P(s1) = .4, P(s2) = .3, P(s3) = .1, and P(s4) = .2. The utility has also been estimated. Given the payoffs (in
$1,000,000's) and utility values below, which decision should Dollar make?
Utility Table
ANSWER:
Buy 3 leases
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making using
utility
101.
Consider the following problem with four states of nature, three decision alternatives, and the following payoff table (in
$'s):
102.
Metropolitan Cablevision has the choice of using one of three DVR systems. Profits are believed to be a function of
customer acceptance. The payoff to Metropolitan for the three systems is:
System
Acceptance Level I II III
Cengage Learning Testing, Powered by Cognero Page 38
System
Acceptance Level I II III
High .4 .3 .3
Medium .3 .4 .5
Low .3 .3 .2
The first vice president believes that the indifference probabilities for Metropolitan should be:
Amount Probability
$150,000 .90
$ 80,000 .70
$ 20,000 .50
-$ 50,000 .25
The second vice president believes Metropolitan should assign the following utility values:
Amount Utility
$200,000 125
$150,000 95
$ 80,000 55
$ 20,000 30
-$ 50,000 10
-$100,000 0
Essay
105. Explain how utility could be used in a decision where performance is not measured by monetary value.
ANSWER: Answer not provided.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Expected value versus expected
utility
106. Explain the relationship between expected utility, probability, payoff, and utility.
ANSWER: Answer not provided.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Expected value versus expected
utility
107. Draw the utility curves for three types of decision makers, label carefully, and explain the concepts of increasing and
decreasing marginal returns for money.
ANSWER: Answer not provided.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Risk avoiders versus risk
takers
108. Explain why the decision maker might feel uncomfortable with the expected value approach, and decide to use a
non-probabilistic approach even when probabilities are available.
ANSWER: Answer not provided.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision making with
probabilities
109. Why perform sensitivity analysis? Of what use is sensitivity analysis where good probability estimates are difficult to
obtain?
ANSWER: Answer not provided.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Sensitivity analysis
111. Use a diagram to compare EVwPI, EVwoPI, EVPI, EVwSI, EVwoSI, and EVSI.
ANSWER: Answer not provided.
POINTS: 1
112. Show how you would design a spreadsheet to calculate revised probabilities for two states of nature and two
indicators.
ANSWER: Answer not provided.
POINTS: 1
TOPICS: Decision analysis and
spreadsheets