We study both analytic and numerical solutions of option pricing equations using systems of orthogonal polynomials. Using a Galerkin-based method, we solve the parabolic partial differential equation for the Black-Scholes model using Hermite polynomials and for the Heston model using Hermite and Laguerre polynomials. We compare the obtained solutions to existing semi-closed pricing formulas. Special attention is paid to the solution of the Heston model at the boundary with vanishing volatility.

In this paper we are concerned with finite element approximations to the evaluation of American options. First, following W. Allegretto etc., SIAM J. Numer. Anal. 39 (2001), 834–857, we introduce a novel practical approach to the discussed problem, which involves the exact reformulation of the original problem and the implementation of the numerical solution over a very small region so that this algorithm is very rapid and highly accurate. Secondly by means of a superapproximation and interpolation...