1. (in statistics) A typical value of a number (n) of values of a quantity (x1,x2,x3…) equal to the square root of the sum of the squares of the values divided by n, i.e.
2. (in physics) A typical value of a continuously varying quantity, such as an alternating electric current, obtained similarly from many samples taken at regular time intervals during a cycle. Theoretically this can be shown to be the effective value, i.e. the value of the equivalent direct current that would produce the same power dissipation. For a sinusoidal current this is equal to Im/√2, where Im is the maximum value of the current.