expected value

USAGE SUMMARY

"expected value" is a valid grammatical structure and can be used in written English.
It refers to the predicted or estimated value of something, often in statistics or economics. Example: The expected value of this investment is $10,000, but there is a 20% chance that it could yield a higher return.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then the expected value is called the th moment, the expected value is called the th absolute moment, the expected value is called the th central moment, and the expected value is called the th absolute central moment.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

This is expected value.

Yale University

The expected value of "1" is returned.

Harvard University

Temperature increase agrees with the expected value.

Fusion Engineering and Design

The lessons of expected value go far beyond sports.

The New York Times

Expected value includes not only the amount but also uncertainty.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The expected value of this quantity is calculated below.

Cornell University

That's the expected value [correction: portfolio standard deviation].

Yale University

On the expected value of games with absentmindedness.

Cornell University

Working these values gives an expected value of $100,425.

Harvard Business Review

The ability to maximize expected value improved with age.

Cognitive Development

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing decisions under uncertainty, always clarify how the "expected value" was calculated, including the probabilities and values of different outcomes. This ensures transparency and allows for better evaluation of the decision-making process.

Common error

Don't assume that the "expected value" is what will actually happen. It's a weighted average, not a prediction of a certain outcome. Always consider the range of possible outcomes and their associated risks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expected value" primarily functions as a noun phrase, referring to a statistical concept. It denotes the average outcome of a probabilistic event, calculated by weighting each possible outcome by its probability. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

Academia

25%

News & Media

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expected value" is a commonly used noun phrase that serves as a statistical measure of the anticipated outcome of a probabilistic event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable in written English. Its primary function is to quantify potential outcomes, facilitating informed decision-making. While predominantly used in scientific and academic contexts, it's also found in news and business domains. Remember to clarify the calculation method when using this phrase and avoid confusing it with a guaranteed outcome. Consider alternatives like "anticipated value" or "predicted value" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipated value

Focuses on the anticipation or prediction aspect rather than the statistical calculation.

predicted value

Emphasizes the forecasting or projection of a value.

estimated value

Highlights the approximate or assessed nature of the value.

forecasted value

Similar to predicted value, but often used in business or economic contexts.

projected value

Implies a value extended into the future based on current trends.

mathematical expectation

A more formal and technical term for the same concept.

average outcome

Focuses on the typical result or outcome.

mean value

A simpler way to refer to the average or central tendency.

probable value

Highlights the likelihood or chance of a particular value.

statistical expectation

Highlights the statistical approach used to estimate the value.

FAQs

How to use "expected value" in a sentence?

You can use "expected value" to describe the anticipated outcome of a probabilistic scenario, such as: "The "expected value" of the investment is positive, suggesting it's worth pursuing."

What's the difference between "expected value" and "average"?

"Expected value" is a weighted average that considers the probabilities of different outcomes, while a simple "average" calculates the arithmetic mean without accounting for probabilities. If all outcomes are equally likely, then the "expected value" and the simple average are the same.

What can I say instead of "expected value"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipated value", "predicted value", or "estimated value" depending on the context.

Is "expected value" always a positive number?

No, the "expected value" can be negative, zero, or positive, depending on the potential gains and losses and their associated probabilities. A negative "expected value" suggests that, on average, you're likely to lose money.