How do you prove that this is a Martingale

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In summary, the conversation discusses the process of proving that W(t) is a martingale. The main focus is on using Ito's formula and determining the allowed derivatives and integrals of Brownian motion. The solution involves showing that the second partial derivative of the function of W is equal to zero, thus making the process a martingale with zero drift.
  • #1
anonymous360
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So the following process involves W(t) which is Brownian Motion, and I need to prove that it is a martingale.

Xt=log(1+W(t)2)-∫0t(1-W(s)2)/(1+W(s)2)2ds

The problem I am having is the integral. My professor did a lot of integrals w.r.t. W(t), but he didn't do very many integrals where W(t) was in the integrand and we were differentiating w.r.t. t.

I feel like I am going to use Ito's formula/rule, but I'm not sure how. I'm still a bit unclear on what is "allowed" with derivatives and integrals of Brownian motion, and w.r.t. Brownian motion. Any recommendations or suggestions as to a direction would be great.
 
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  • #2
Well Ito says that
[tex] dX=\frac{\partial X}{\partial W}dW+\frac{1}{2}\frac{\partial^2 X}{\partial W^2}dW^2[/tex]
for your function of W. Since
[tex]dW^2=dt [/tex]
that means the process for dX is a martingale if the dt term is zero. That is, dX is a martingale if it has "zero drift." So now we must show that
[tex] \frac{1}{2}\frac{\partial^2 X}{\partial W^2}dt=0 [/tex]
or
[tex] \frac{\partial^2 X}{\partial W^2}=0 [/tex]
Hope it helps
 

1. What is a Martingale?

A Martingale is a mathematical concept that describes a sequence of random variables where the expected value of the next variable in the sequence is equal to the current value. In simpler terms, it is a betting strategy that involves doubling your bet after every loss, with the goal of eventually breaking even.

2. How do you prove that something is a Martingale?

To prove that something is a Martingale, you need to show that the expected value of the next variable in the sequence is equal to the current value, and that the sequence satisfies certain conditions such as being a fair game and having no memory. This can be done through mathematical calculations and statistical analysis.

3. What are some examples of Martingales?

Some examples of Martingales include the classic coin-flipping game where you double your bet every time you lose, and the famous roulette betting strategy where you double your bet on either red or black after every loss.

4. Can you prove that any game is a Martingale?

No, not all games can be proven to be Martingales. A game must satisfy certain conditions, such as being a fair game with no memory, in order to be considered a Martingale. Many real-life scenarios do not meet these conditions, making them unsuitable for the Martingale strategy.

5. Are Martingales a successful betting strategy?

While Martingales can seem like a foolproof betting strategy, it is important to note that it is not a guaranteed path to success. Due to the risk of large losses with each successive bet, it is possible to reach a point where the player does not have enough funds to continue the strategy. Additionally, many casinos have betting limits that can prevent the strategy from being effective in the long run.

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