Question

When a famous painting becomes available for sale, it is often known which museum or collector will be the likely winner. Yet, the auctioneer actively woos representatives of other museums that have no chance of winning to attend anyway.
Suppose a piece of art has recently become available for sale and will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with the winner paying an amount equal to the second highest bid. Assume that most collectors know that Janet places a value of $125,000 on the art piece and that she values this art piece more than any other collector. Suppose that if no one else shows up, Janet simply bids $125,000/2 = $5,000 and wins the piece of art.

The expected price paid by Kenji, with no other bidders present, is $:_________
Suppose the owner Of the artwork manages to recruit another bidder, Manuel, to the auction. Manuel is known to value the art piece at $8,000.
The expected price paid by Kenji, given the presence of the second bidder Manuel, is $:_________

Answer 1

Please find attached

Answer and Explanation:

1. If there are no other bidders present as from question them we can conclude that Kenji would buy the art piece for $5000. See question

2. If there is a bidder present in the name of Manuel who would bid for $8000 then Kenji would bid at $8000 and win the bid for the art piece. See question. Kenji would bid at price of 2nd highest bidder to win the bid for art piece