mathematical expectation

noun

1. Mathematics. the product of the probability of the occurrence of an event and the value associated with the occurrence of a given event.
2. Statistics. the summation or integration, over all values of a variate, of the product of the variate and its probability or its probability density.

mathematical expectation

noun

1. statistics another name for expected value

Word History and Origins

Origin of mathematical expectation¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

John Maynard Keynes wrote that gut feelings — or “animal spirits,” as he called them — were often more important to investment decisions than a “mathematical expectation.”

From Washington Post

And by last, I mean mathematical expectation; I know what will happen in general but not each individual case.

From Time

And by last, I mean mathematical expectation; I know what will happen in general but not each individual case.

From Time

He also introduced the concept of mathematical expectation into probability theory.

From Project Gutenberg

He also introduced the concept of mathematical expectation into probability theory.

From Project Gutenberg