THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM IS DUE FOR HOMEWORK ON
THURSDAY, APRIL 16.
TOTAL POINTS: 40 (2 free points)
NAME _______________________________
1. TOTAL POINTS: 14. The following “game” illustrates the source of the title
“The Prisoner’s Dilemma.”
Bert and Ernie are arrested for a crime. The district attorney has little
evidence in the case. Unless she gets a confession, she can only convict them
of a lesser offense for which each will serve 5 years in prison. Since she is
anxious to extract a confession, she separates Bert and Ernie and tells each, “If
you confess and your companion does not, I can promise you a reduced (2-
year) sentence, whereas, on the basis of your confession, your companion will
get 20 years. If you both confess, you will each get a 10-year sentence.” The
“choices” facing Bert and Ernie are summarized in the pay-off matrix below.
PAY-OFF MATRIX
BERT’S ACTIONS
Confess Don’t Confess
Confess Ernie: 10 years
Bert: 10 years
Ernie: 2 years
Bert: 20 years
ERNIES ACTIONS
Don’t Confess Ernie: 20 years
Bert: 2 years
Ernie:5 years
Bert: 5 years
