Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2013 iii Paper 39 3 d Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-07
Let replicate , so . The positive-definite Gram matrix is invertible. Multiplication by and taking expected values giveAll quantities are integrable: the finite-atom representation from completeness gives finite terminal values, and the matrix has finite entries. Positive definiteness also guarantees uniqueness of holdings, since would imply and hence .
Thus the replication cost isConsequently the one-period Gram-matrix replication formula isThe symmetry of makes the displayed orientations consistent. Positivity of this would require an additional no-arbitrage condition; positive definiteness of the payoff Gram matrix alone proves the representation and uniqueness, not positivity of prices across states.