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How does Itô's lemma express the differential of a function of Brownian motion and time?

Itô's lemma expresses the differential of a function f(W,t)f(W,t) as df(W,t)=[ft+12fWW]dt+fWdWdf(W,t) = \left[f_t + \frac{1}{2} f_{WW}\right] dt + f_W dW. This formula includes a second-order partial derivative term with respect to WW multiplied by dtdt, which arises from the non-zero quadratic variation of Brownian motion.

Conditions

  • ff is a sufficiently smooth function of WW and tt.
  • WW is a standard Brownian motion.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Identify the function f(W,t)f(W,t) of Brownian motion and time.
  2. Compute the first partial derivative with respect to time, ftf_t.
  3. Compute the first partial derivative with respect to WW, fWf_W.
  4. Compute the second partial derivative with respect to WW, fWWf_{WW}.
  5. Combine these into the differential formula df(W,t)=[ft+12fWW]dt+fWdWdf(W,t) = \left[f_t + \frac{1}{2} f_{WW}\right] dt + f_W dW.

Example

The board states: 'Ito Lemma: f(W,t)⇒f(W,t) \Rightarrow df(W,t) = [ft+12ff_t + \frac{1}{2} f_{WW}] dt+fWdt + f_W dW.'

Common misconceptions

  • Omitting the 12fWWdt\frac{1}{2} f_{WW} dt term, which would incorrectly apply standard deterministic calculus rules.
  • Assuming the second derivative term is multiplied by dWdW instead of dtdt.

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