Q. You are the chief appraiser for a large art dealer in a major American city. You are offered a chance to examine and buy a work of art. You have reason to believe which it is a piece from a famous artist of the 15th century which has been lost to the art world for hundreds of years. Such a painting would have an estimated market value of $1 million. Explain however, you face two risks. First, the painting may be a forgery, a chance which you estimate to be .4. Second, even if the painting is authentic it may be stolen. Once you buy the painting, you bear all risk. If it is a fake, its value is $0. If it proves to be stolen (a .2 risk in your estimation), you must return the painting to its rightful owner and you cannot recover the purchase price.

a) You have the chance to buy the painting for $500,000. As a risk-neutral decision maker, should you make the purchase?