Stochastic Calculus

Quadratic Variation for Dummies

Add up the squared steps of a Brownian path and you get exactly t: the fact that breaks the ordinary chain rule.

What to remember

  • Quadratic variation of Brownian motion: [W]_t = t.
  • Box rules: dW·dW = dt, the other products are 0.
Read the lessonQuadratic Variation, with a checkpoint at the end.