Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2021 iii Paper 201 5 a Solution 2026-09-28
The random-walk form of the Skorokhod embedding theorem says the following. If , where the are independent and identically distributed withthen on a space carrying a Brownian motion there are stopping timessuch that has the same law as , and the increments are independent and identically distributed with mean .
To prove the one-step statement, first note that every centered distribution is a mixture of centered two-point distributions. Indeed, match the equal-mass size-biased measures on and on . This produces a random pair of positive numbers such that, conditionally on , has values with probabilitiesand . Include the atom at zero by taking the stopping time zero.
Choose independently of and stop Brownian motion on first leaving . The Brownian exit from an interval formulas give the displayed two-point probabilities and conditional mean stopping time . Thus has the law of and .
Starting from , repeat this construction after each . The Strong Markov property makes the new Brownian increments independent copies of the first embedding, proving the Skorokhod embedding of a centered random walk.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 iii Paper 201 6 d ii Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
Construct the times inductively. Suppose has the law of . Conditional on the past, the martingale increment has mean zero and finite second moment. Apply the conditional form of the Skorokhod embedding theorem to this regular conditional law, using the fresh Brownian motion supplied by the Strong Markov property. This gives a stopping time increment and such that the next Brownian increment has the required conditional law. Induction provesfor every .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 iii Paper 201 6 d i Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
The Skorokhod embedding theorem states that if is a centered probability law on with finite second moment, there is a Brownian stopping time such that , the stopped process is uniformly integrable, and .