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Market Price vs Model Price

Keep observed quotes separate from calculated fair values.

Reviewed 2026-08-10TheQuantBateman ResearchReading note
01Intuition

Build the mental model first.

A market price is an observation with venue, timestamp and executable conditions. A model price is a conditional calculation under inputs and assumptions.

ONE-LINE DEFINITION

Keep observed quotes separate from calculated fair values.

02Mathematics

Now make it exact.

Vmodel=M(x,θ,c),Pmarket=observed quoteV_{model}=\mathcal{M}(x,\theta,c), \quad P_{market}=\text{observed quote}
Notation and units

Decimal rates and volatilities, year-fraction time and continuous compounding unless stated otherwise.

03Assumptions

Every model has a price.

01

Educational conventions are stated explicitly and may simplify market quotation or settlement details.

02

Rates are continuously compounded unless the section says otherwise.

03

Inputs are deterministic in the base model.

“An unstated convention is a future reconciliation break.”— THEQUANTBATEMAN
04Market use

Why a quant cares.

Calibration, relative-value analysis and governance depend on never confusing the two.

IntuitionMathematicsImplementationDesk risk
05Desk view
FRONT OFFICE VIEW

The hedge has opinions.

Start with the quote convention, then ask which Foundations risk survives the hedge. A number without its convention is merely well-dressed ambiguity.

Ask Bateman about this model
06Related

Continue through the graph.