1
$\begingroup$

Let $\{Z_k\}_{k=1}^{N}$ be a sequence of i.i.d. random variables with the following distribution $$Z_k = \begin{cases} \alpha &\text{with probability} \ \hat{\pi}\\ -\beta &\text{with probability} \ 1 - \hat{\pi} \end{cases}$$ Then we have $$\ln(S_T) = ln(S_0) + (r - \frac{\sigma^2}{2})T + \sigma\sqrt{T}\frac{1}{\sqrt{N}}\sum_{k=1}^{N}Z_k$$ The only criteria for the convergence of binomial model to Black-Scholes model is that the random variables $Z_k$, $k = 1,\ldots,N$ must satisfy $\hat{\mathbb{E}}[Z_1] = o(\delta)$ and $\hat{\mathbb{E}}[Z_1^2] = 1 + o(1)$ i.e. $$\text{If} \ \hat{\mathbb{E}}[Z_1] = o(\delta), \ \text{and} \ \hat{\mathbb{E}}[Z_1^2] = 1+o(1), \ \text{then}$$ $$\frac{1}{\sqrt{N}}\sum_{k=1}^{N}Z_k \ \text{converges to} \ \mathcal{N}(0,1) \ \text{weakly}$$

Symmetric probability: $$u = \exp(\delta(r - \frac{\sigma^2}{2}) + \sqrt{\delta}\sigma), l = \exp(\delta(r - \frac{\sigma^2}{2}) - \sqrt{\delta}\sigma) , \ \text{and} \ \ R = r\delta$$ Then; $$\hat{\pi}_u = \hat{\pi}_l = \frac{1}{2}$$

Subjective return: $$u = \exp(\delta\nu + \sqrt{\delta}\sigma), l = \exp(\delta\nu - \sqrt{\delta}\sigma), \ \text{and} \ \ R = r\delta$$ Then; $$\hat{\pi}_u = \frac{1}{2}\left(1 + \sqrt{\delta}\frac{r - \nu - \frac{1}{2}\sigma^2}{\sigma}\right) \ \ \text{and} \ \ \hat{\pi}_l = \frac{1}{2}\left(1 - \sqrt{\delta}\frac{r - \nu - \frac{1}{2}\sigma^2}{\sigma}\right)$$

Show $$\hat{\mathbb{E}}[Z_1] = o(\delta), \ \ \text{and} \ \ \hat{\mathbb{E}}[Z_1^2] = 1 + o(1)$$ in the following cases.

a.) symmetric probability

b.) subjective return

Attempted solution a.) $$E[Z_1] = 1\times \frac{1}{2} - 1\times\frac{1}{2} = 0$$ and $$E[Z_1^2] = 1^2\times\frac{1}{2} + (-1)^2\frac{1}{2} = 1$$

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

1
$\begingroup$

your statement is quite imprecise.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_limit_theorem

With :

  • $(Z_k)_{k=1\dots n}$ i.i.d with $\mathbb{E}\left[Z_1\right] = \mu$ and $\text{Var}(Z_1)=\mathbb{E}\left[Z_1^2\right] -\mu^2=\sigma^2$

  • and by denoting $\mathcal{N}(m,v)$ a normal variance with mean $m$ and variance $v$

we have : $$ \text{weak}\lim_{N\to\infty}\frac{1}{\sqrt{N}}\sum_{i=1}^n(Z_k-\mu) = \mathcal{N}(0,\sigma^2) $$ or alternatively $$ \text{weak}\lim_{N\to\infty}\frac{1}{\sigma\sqrt{N}}\sum_{i=1}^n(Z_k-\mu) = \mathcal{N}(0,1) $$ you can apply it straightforward to your problem

$\endgroup$
5
  • $\begingroup$ I know how to get the expectation and variance of $N(0,1)$. I guess I am just confused with what $o(\delta)$ means. $\endgroup$
    – Wolfy
    Commented Apr 6, 2016 at 16:56
  • $\begingroup$ In your case, if $g(\delta)=o(\delta)$ it means that $\limsup_{\delta\to 0}\frac{g(\delta)}{\delta}=0$ $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 6, 2016 at 17:05
  • $\begingroup$ Ok, I am still unsure how to calculate $E[Z_1]$ could you help me here? $\endgroup$
    – Wolfy
    Commented Apr 6, 2016 at 17:11
  • $\begingroup$ $E[Z_1]=\alpha P(Z_1=\alpha)+(-\beta)P(Z_1=-\beta)=\alpha\hat{\pi}-\beta(1-\hat{\pi})$ go to see expected_value on wikipedia $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 6, 2016 at 17:25
  • $\begingroup$ CLT under weak dependence, I am not sure how you think looking there would help $\endgroup$
    – Wolfy
    Commented Apr 6, 2016 at 18:02

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.