Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2005 iii Paper 35 3 Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
On a finite horizon , let be a standard -dimensional Brownian motion and let be a predictable process with almost surely. Suppose the stochastic exponentialis a true martingale with . The Novikov condition is a sufficient condition. The Girsanov theorem says that under ,Because , the two measures are equivalent on the terminal sigma-algebra.
For the proof sketch, Itô formula gives . Apply the product rule to . Its finite-variation term is cancelled by . After localization the product is a martingale under , and the conditional change-of-measure formula makes a local martingale under . Adding finite variation leaves its covariations unchanged: . The Lévy characterization of multidimensional Brownian motion completes the proof. Localization is essential if the integrands are not bounded; the true-martingale hypothesis on permits the final measure change.
For the deal, write and use constant interest rate , volatility and no stock dividends. Under the risk-neutral measure, the Black-Scholes model isFor example this follows from the preceding theorem with when the physical stock drift is . The delivered shares have terminal cash value , so its initial value isThe factor must be included: the deal is a stock delivery, not a cash payment of the random number of shares.
Use the stock-numeraire measure in the Black-Scholes model, whose density isThe Girsanov theorem gives as Brownian motion under . ThereforeThe discrete geometric average under the stock-numeraire measure has normally distributed logarithm withThe last identity uses the printed descending order of sampling times. Each is the minimum in exactly ordered pairs. In particular .
Assume the ordinary positive deal parameters and put , . The change of numeraire gives , where . Split the integral at . Completing the square in times the normal probability density givesThus the stock-delivery option with a geometric average has valueHere is the standard normal distribution function. Delivery time does not enter separately once the sampling dates are fixed: the stock numeraire cancels the final stock factor and discounting. As a check, for one sample at , the payment is and the formula becomes the value of shares plus a put on their terminal value. If the value is ; if the value is .