Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-msc-in-advanced-computer-science-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2021/computational-game-theory/1/b/solution
Past exam of the MSc in advanced computer science course of the University of Oxford 2021 Computational game theory 1 b Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
No: these two strict comparisons violate the independence axiom for lottery preferences. Let denote the certain zero-money lottery. Reduction of compound lotteries givesFor example, the second expression assigns probability to the nonzero reward and to zero. The claimed must therefore implywhich is , contradicting the other claimed strict preference.
The same obstruction is visible in any proposed expected utility representation. Subtract from the utility function, and write and . The first comparison requires , hence , whereas the second requires . No real satisfy both. This argument requires neither risk neutrality nor an assumption that the utility function is increasing in money.
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