expected value
noun[U]
ukusECONOMICS,FINANCE
theprobablevalueof something,calculatedas thetotalof allpossiblevaluesmultipliedby thedegreeofpossibilitythat each willhappen:
In alottery,peoplearewillingtopayfarmore than theexpectedvalueoftheirwinningsfor theremotechancethat they mighthitthejackpot.