Diffusion equations arise in areas such as fluid mechanics, cellular biology, weather forecasting, electronics, mechanical engineering, atomic physics, environmental science, medicine, etc. This dissertation considers equations of this type that arise in mathematical finance. For over 40 years traders in financial markets around the world have used Black-Scholes equations for valuing financial options. These equations need to be solved quickly and accurately so that the traders can make prompt and accurate investment decisions. One way to do this is to use parallel numerical algorithms. This dissertation develops and evaluates algorithms of this kind that are based on the Laplace transform, numerical inversion algorithms and finite difference methods. Laplace transform-based algorithms have faced a legitimate criticism that they are ill-posed i.e. prone to instability. We demonstrate with reference to the Black-Scholes equation, contrary to the received wisdom, that the use of the Laplace transform may be used to produce reasonably accurate solutions (i.e. to two decimal places), in a fast and reliable manner when used in conjunction with standard PDE techniques. To set the scene for the investigations that follow, the reader is introduced to financial options, option pricing and the one-dimensional and two-dimensional linear and nonlinear Black-Scholes equations. This is followed by a description of the Laplace transform method and in particular, four widely used numerical algorithms that can be used for finding inverse Laplace transform values. Chapter 4 describes methodology used in the investigations completed i.e. the programming environment used, the measures used to evaluate the performance of the numerical algorithms, the method of data collection used, issues in the design of parallel programs and the parameter values used. To demonstrate the potential of the Laplace transform based approach, Chapter 5 uses existing procedures of this kind to solve the one-dimensional, linear Black-Scholes equation. Chapters 6, 7, 8, and 9 then develop and evaluate new Laplace transform-finite difference algorithms for solving one-dimensional and two-dimensional, linear and nonlinear Black-Scholes equations. They also determine the optimal parameter values to use in each case i.e. the parameter values that produce the fastest and most accurate solutions. Chapters 7 and 9 also develop new, iterative Monte Carlo algorithms for calculating the reference solutions needed to determine the accuracy of the LTFD solutions. Chapter 10 identifies the general patterns of behaviour observed within the LTFD solutions and explains them. The dissertation then concludes by explaining how this programme of work can be extended. The investigations completed make significant contributions to knowledge. These are summarised at the end of the chapters in which they occur. Perhaps the most important of these is the development of fast and accurate numerical algorithms that can be used for solving diffusion equations in a variety of application areas.

Orientador: Jose Mario Martinez / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Matematica, Estatistica e Computação Cientifica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T04:59:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Prudente_LeandrodaFonseca_M.pdf: 2877541 bytes, checksum: c2a57346fe1ba93469b385a71de6c2da (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: Nesta dissertação expomos algumas propriedades das opções e desenvolvemos a teoria clássica que resulta na Equação de Black-Scholes Generalizada, o modelo utilizado no mercado para precificar uma opção. Neste cenário apresentamos o Princípio da Retrodifusão. A ideia de obtermos a Equação de Black-Scholes por meios mais simples e que possibilitem uma interpretação intuitiva desta equação. Mostramos uma maneira numérica para resolver a Equação de Black-Scholes Generalizada e por fim desenvolvemos um método para estimar a superfície de volatilidade de um ativo usando como ferramenta conhecidas opções comercializadas. / Abstract: In this work expose some properties of the options and developed the classical theory which results in the Generalized Black-Scholes equation, the model used in the market for pricing an option. In this context we present the Princípio da Retrodifusão. The idea is to get the Black-Scholes equation by simpler means and enabling an intuitive interpretation of this equation. We show a numerical way to solve the Generalized Black-Scholes equation and finally developed a method to estimate the volatility surface of an asset using as a tool known options traded. / Mestrado / Mestre em Matemática Aplicada