Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2008 / ii / Paper 1 / 28J / e / Solution

The Black-Scholes implied volatility of a traded call price $C$ is the volatility $\sigma$ which makes the Black-Scholes formula equal to $C$. Forthe price is a continuous strictly increasing function of $\sigma >0$, by its positive vega, with precisely these endpoint limits. The intermediate value theorem and strict monotonicity therefore give a unique positive implied volatility. The lower endpoint corresponds to the limiting value $\sigma =0$; the upper endpoint is reached only as $\sigma \to \infty$. Prices outside the bounds admit the arbitrages above and have no implied volatility.