Math Problem Statement

A 40-year-old man in the U.S. has a 0.249% risk of dying during the next year . An insurance company charges $300 per year for a life-insurance policy that pays a $100,000 death benefit. What is the expected value for the person buying the insurance? Round your answer to the nearest dollar.

Expected Value: $ for the year

Solution

The expected value for the person buying the insurance can be calculated by considering the two possible outcomes:

  1. The person survives (probability of survival): The person loses the premium paid to the insurance company.
  2. The person dies (probability of death): The person receives the death benefit of $100,000, but loses the premium.

Step-by-step calculation:

  1. Probability of death: 0.249% = 0.00249
  2. Probability of survival: 1 - 0.00249 = 0.99751
  3. Cost of premium: $300
  4. Death benefit: $100,000

Now, let's calculate the expected value E(X)E(X).

E(X)=(Probability of death×Net gain if death occurs)+(Probability of survival×Net gain if survival occurs)E(X) = (\text{Probability of death} \times \text{Net gain if death occurs}) + (\text{Probability of survival} \times \text{Net gain if survival occurs})

  • Net gain if death occurs: $100,000 - $300 = $99,700
  • Net gain if survival occurs: $-300 (since the person only pays the premium with no benefit)

Thus:

E(X)=(0.00249×99,700)+(0.99751×300)E(X) = (0.00249 \times 99,700) + (0.99751 \times -300)

E(X)=(248.253)+(299.253)E(X) = (248.253) + (-299.253)

E(X)=51E(X) = -51

Conclusion:

The expected value for the person buying the insurance is - $51 for the year (rounded to the nearest dollar).


Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions you might find interesting:

  1. How would the expected value change if the premium were $400?
  2. What is the insurance company's expected value for this policy?
  3. How does the risk of death impact the premium charged by insurance companies?
  4. What is the break-even premium for this insurance policy?
  5. How would a different death benefit (e.g., $200,000) affect the expected value?

Tip: Expected value helps assess whether a financial decision is fair or beneficial over time, especially in insurance and gambling scenarios.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability
Expected Value
Risk Analysis

Formulas

E(X) = (Probability of death × Net gain if death occurs) + (Probability of survival × Net gain if survival occurs)

Theorems

Law of Total Expectation

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12