Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2016 iii Paper 211 4 d Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
The positive-part function is convex, so pathwise Jensen inequality givesTo compare the Asian option price with European call option prices at different dates, carry each earlier payoff forward using the numéraire. Purchase of each replicating strategy for maturity , and, when its payoff is received, reinvest it in until . This is a self-financing portfolio, with terminal wealthThe first inequality uses and nonnegative payoffs. Since the Asian option is replicable in the complete market, absence of arbitrage makes its replication cost no larger than this superhedging cost. ThereforeEquivalently, divide the first pathwise bound by , use , and take expectations under the numéraire equivalent martingale measure. Merely averaging earlier payoffs without reinvestment would miss the difference in payment dates.