St. Petersburg paradox

English

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.

Noun

St. Petersburg paradox (plural St. Petersburg paradoxes)

1. (economics) 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.

Alternative forms

• Petersburg paradox, Saint Petersburg paradox

Related terms

• St. Petersburg lottery