expected value

American  

noun

1. Statistics, Mathematics. mathematical expectation.

---

expected value British  

noun

1. Also called: mathematical expectation.  statistics the sum or integral of all possible values of a random variable, or any given function of it, multiplied by the respective probabilities of the values of the variable. Symbol: E ( X ). E ( X ) is the mean of the distribution; E ( X–c ) = E ( X )– c where c is a constant

---

Etymology

Origin of expected value

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

expected value

Silver, a math-forward thinker, clearly believes in the expected value of the coin flip.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

They’re missing the place it shows up most: the small, unquantifiable human moments we quietly opt out of because the expected value doesn’t pencil out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

Baron said he thinks SpaceX valuation is heading much higher from the expected value of close to $2 trillion at the IPO.

From Barron's ● Jun. 8, 2026

"For me, making an accurate measurement is a way of bringing order to the universe, whether or not the number agrees with the expected value," he added.

From Science Daily ● May 18, 2026

The expected value of being a Christian would then be 0 x ∞, and that was gibberish.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife