Phrase guide

St. Petersburg paradox

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The paradox raised by a particular (theoretical) lottery game that leads to a random variable with infinite expected value (i.e. infinite expected payoff) but nevertheless seems to be worth only a very small amount to the participants.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: economics, sciences

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Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Named from its resolution by Daniel Bernoulli, one-time resident of the eponymous Russian city, who published his arguments in the Commentaries of the Imperial Academy of Science of Saint Petersburg (Bernoulli 1738). However, the problem was invented by Daniel's cousin, Nicolas Bernoulli.