Multiplicative Utility Functions

Abstract

The paper presents necessary and sufficient conditions for a multiattributed utility function to be either multiplicative or additive. It is shown that the additive form is a limiting case of the multiplicative form. The number of requisite assumptions to imply the main results is equal to the number of attributes. Because the assumptions involve only trade-offs between two attributes at a time or lotteries over one attribute, it is reasonable to expect that decision makers can ascertain if the assumptions are appropriate for their specific problem. Procedures are given for verifying the assumptions and assessing the resulting utility functions. The paper concludes with a discussion of a recent application of the results to a six-attribute problem relating to the development of Mexico City's airport facilities.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0758406

Entities

People

  • Ralph L. Keeney

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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  • C4I
  • Human Systems

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  • Probability Distributions
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