St Petersburg Paradox Calculator
Free online st petersburg paradox calculator. Enter your values and get instant results with the formula, step-by-step working, a worked example and FAQs — everything runs locally in your browser on Calcton, no signup required.
中文版:圣彼得堡悖论期望计算器
原理:抛均匀硬币直到首次正面,若第 k 次才出现正面则赔付 2^(k−1) 元。1538 年卡尔达诺提出、1738 年尼古拉·伯努利在圣彼得堡科学院定稿的这个游戏,期望收益 = Σ 2^(k−1)·2^(−k) = Σ 1/2 = ∞,但几乎没人愿意付超过几元钱入场——期望发散与直觉估值之间的鸿沟即「圣彼得堡悖论」。理性化的三条经典出路:其一,有限财富截断——庄家最多赔 2^n 时期望恰为 n/2 + 1(n = 30 也不到 17 元);其二,效用理论——伯努利用对数效用 U(w) = ln w,期望效用 = Σ 2^(−k)·ln 2^(k−1) = ln 2 ≈ 0.6931,对应公平定价约 2 元;其三,√ 效用给出精确值 (2 + √2)/2 = 1 + √2/2 ≈ 1.7071。
步骤:输入观察上限 n,输出第 n 项赔付、级数前 n 项贡献(每项恒 0.5,级数发散的直接证据)、庄家封顶 2^n 时的截断期望,以及两种效用函数下的定价。
示例:n = 10 时前 10 项贡献 = 5.000000000000,封顶期望 = 6.000000000000;n = 3 时封顶期望 = 2.500000000000;√ 效用定价 = 1.707106781187(理论值 1.707106781187),对数效用 = 0.693147180560(理论值 ln 2 = 0.693147180560);第 21 次才正面已需赔付 1048576 元。
注意事项:n 上限 60(2^59 已约 5.8 × 10^17,超出日常金额量级);「期望无穷大」依赖庄家拥有无限资金与无限信用;效用定价对效用函数的选择敏感——悖论的本质是期望值准则在重尾分布上的失效,而非数学错误。
相关:期望值工具给出离散期望的定义式;赌徒破产问题展示有限资金下的对赌结局;凯利公式把效用最大化落实到下注比例。
How to use the St Petersburg Paradox Calculator
- Fill in the inputs with your own numbers — every field shows what it expects.
- The result updates instantly as you type; no "Calculate" click needed.
- Read the result card for the main figure, the step-by-step formula, and practical notes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the St Petersburg Paradox Calculator free?
Yes — all math calculators on Calcton are free, with no sign-up required. Your inputs are processed in your browser and never sent to a server.
Is there a Chinese version of this tool?
Yes. Use the Chinese version link above — it is the same calculator with the interface in Simplified Chinese.
References
Formulas and benchmarks used by this calculator follow these published sources.
KevinContent LeadCalcton Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-10-01
Kevin maintains Calcton's formula verification and content: every calculator cites the standard it implements, worked examples are recomputed programmatically, and health benchmarks follow WHO and international guidelines.
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