Math Problem Statement

A company estimates that 0.7% of their products will fail after the original warranty period but within 2 years of the purchase, with a replacement cost of $350.  If they offer a 2 year extended warranty for $48, what is the company's expected value of each warranty sold?

Solution

To calculate the company's expected value of each extended warranty sold, we need to consider both the probability of a product failing within the extended warranty period and the replacement cost, as well as the revenue from selling the warranty. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

  1. Given Data:

    • Probability that a product will fail within 2 years after the original warranty period: p=0.007p = 0.007 (or 0.7%)
    • Cost to replace a product if it fails: $350
    • Revenue from selling the extended warranty: $48
  2. Expected Loss Due to Replacement: The expected cost for the company if a product fails is given by: Expected cost=p×Replacement cost\text{Expected cost} = p \times \text{Replacement cost} Substituting the values: Expected cost=0.007×350=2.45\text{Expected cost} = 0.007 \times 350 = 2.45

  3. Expected Value Calculation: The expected value of each warranty sold is the revenue from the warranty minus the expected cost of replacement: Expected value=RevenueExpected cost\text{Expected value} = \text{Revenue} - \text{Expected cost} Substituting the values: Expected value=482.45=45.55\text{Expected value} = 48 - 2.45 = 45.55

Thus, the company's expected value for each warranty sold is $45.55.


Do you want more details on any step or have any questions?

Related Questions:

  1. How would the expected value change if the failure probability increased?
  2. What if the replacement cost was $500 instead of $350?
  3. How would the company's overall profit be affected if they sold 1,000 warranties?
  4. What would be the break-even point if the warranty price was reduced?
  5. How could the company adjust its pricing strategy if more customers purchase the warranty?

Tip:

When calculating expected values in real-life situations, always consider both the costs and the probabilities involved to accurately assess the potential gains or losses.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability
Expected Value

Formulas

Expected Cost = Probability of Failure × Replacement Cost
Expected Value = Revenue - Expected Cost

Theorems

Law of Total Expectation

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12