Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2016/iii/paper-211/3/a/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2016 iii Paper 211 3 a Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Choose any strictly positive pricing kernel . The assumed componentwise expectations and the linearity of expectation giveThe integrand is nonnegative, so its expectation is also nonnegative and hence zero. A nonnegative random variable with zero expectation vanishes almost surely. Since almost surely, this forces almost surely. Both conclusions follow:The strict positivity of the pricing kernel is essential: a kernel allowed to vanish could miss a positive payoff on its zero set. No normalization is assumed in this abstract market; that normalization follows only if a unit-priced unit-payoff cash asset is included.
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