Optimal Apartment Cleaning by Harried College Students: A Game-Theoretic Analysis

Batabyal, Amitrajeet (2017): Optimal Apartment Cleaning by Harried College Students: A Game-Theoretic Analysis.

Abstract

In this note we use a simple game model to analyze the optimal cleanup of an apartment that is shared by n ∈ ℕ college students who are pressed for time. From an individual standpoint, these students dislike cleaning. However, they also prefer a clean apartment to a dirty one. Hence, for any student i, where i=1,...,n, this student’s utility is the total number of hours spent by all the n students cleaning less a number d times the hours spent cleaning by himself. In this setting, we first determine the Nash equilibrium cleanup times when the number d is less than unity. Second, we find the Nash equilibrium cleanup times when d is greater than unity. Finally, for specific values of n and d, we investigate whether the second Nash equilibrium is Pareto efficient.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Apartment, Cleanup, College Student, Nash Equilibrium, Static Game
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C7 - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory > C72 - Noncooperative Games; D - Microeconomics > D0 - General > D01 - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J2 - Demand and Supply of Labor > J22 - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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