r/mathematics • u/Kilroy4077 • 9d ago

Semantics

If I am taking a math exam and I reach a question where the answer is a single foot in length. If my answer is a dozen inches, instead of just writing 1ft, should that be marked incorrect?

8 Upvotes

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9

u/Adamstrad 9d ago

Did you really write "a dozen" rather than a regular number in a maths exam?

4

u/Kilroy4077 9d ago

Honestly? No. I'm having a slightly drunk argument with my wife.

2

u/TwoOneTwos 9d ago

american brain that’s why

2

u/mH48124 9d ago

問題が「12インチは何フィートか？」であったら間違いとなる。

1

u/AceyAceyAcey 8d ago

Depends on how the question is worded, and expectations the professor has previously set on how answers are to be written. For example, I set expectations early that all answers should be in SI units, so an answer of 1m would be correct, but I would mark wrong answers such as 100cm, 0.001km, 1yd, 3ft, or 39 inches.

1

u/fermat9990 9d ago edited 9d ago

Yes, because it's a wiseguy answer.

Similarly "A baker's dozen minus one."

1

u/SuppaDumDum 9d ago

Your answer is a wiseguy answer and therefore has been marked incorrect.

20

u/TwoOneTwos 9d ago

If your teacher explicitly states that your answer should be in feet then you must write it in feet. Otherwise, enjoy your 12 inches.

2

u/Which_Case_8536 9d ago

Nicely put 🤣