Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2013 / iii / Paper 39 / 3 / a

In the one-period model, initial holdings are a deterministic vector $H\in {\mathbb{R}}^n$, chosen with trivial initial information, and the terminal payoff of the portfolio is $H^T{P}_1$. A contingent claim ${\xi }_1$ is replicable if some such vector has $H^T{P}_1={\xi }_1$ almost surely; its initial claim replication cost is $H^T{P}_0$. A complete market replicates every claim in the specified terminal-information class; for the arguments below, it suffices that every bounded measurable claim is replicable. The $n$ assets count all assets of the model, including a cash asset if one is traded.

These are one-period definitions. If arbitrary terminal information were already available initially and holdings could depend on it, the finite-atomic conclusion in the next part would not follow; the deterministic-holdings convention is essential.