Absolute value question (1 Viewer)

[大きい男]

I got my final advanced paper (prelim) back recently and noticed that one of the only marks I lost was in the following question:

Evaluate 2|−3|−3|−4|

I answered 26, although the answer which was expected was -6. My question is, given that there was no way the nesting of the absolute values could be determined (as spaces were consistent between all terms), how can 26 not be accepted over -6?

 

[Carrotsticks]

I got my final advanced paper (prelim) back recently and noticed that one of the only marks I lost was in the following question:

Evaluate 2|−3|−3|−4|

I answered 26, although the answer which was expected was -6. My question is, given that there was no way the nesting of the absolute values could be determined (as spaces were consistent between all terms), how can 26 not be accepted over -6?

I agree with your statement and think you should contest your mark. If not out of practicality, then at least out of principle.

This is the fault of the typesetter for not nesting them correctly and you are in the clear here.