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I recently posted a question: Conics in the surface $x^4 + y^4 -2n^2z^4 = w^2$

An answer was provided. After studying the answer for some time, I realised that the answerer had misunderstood my question and the answer is not actually relevant to my question. I asked that the answer be removed since it gives the false impression that my question has been answered, or close to being answered, as the answer has upvotes. And I would not like this answer to distract from obtaining an actual answer to my question. I suspect whoever upvoted the answer didn't realise that it didn't address my question.

However the answerer refused to do so, as it seems since it is upvoted they would prefer to not lose the upvotes.

The situation is particularly awkward as the answerer is a site moderator (Stanley Yao Xiao), and whilst this does not break any site rules, I would think that moderators should demonstrate exemplary behaviour on the site and be willing to admit when they made a mistake. So I've taken the discussion to meta to see whether they would reconsider the decision, or another independent moderator to comment.

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    $\begingroup$ I actually believe this is a suitable topic to discuss in meta. I will act accordingly with respect to how the community responds. $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 16 at 18:04
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    $\begingroup$ Thanks for asking this, definitely worth checking. The fact the answerer is a moderator shouldn't be a factor imho. I myself asked a question as a moderator that I have subsequently deleted, because it really wasn't a good idea. There are plenty of examples where people provide an 'answer' with a clear caveat that it doesn't really answer the question, but might be helpful for someone who can, or provide additional 'hooks' or context for people reading the question. Obviously this can't be an unfettered process, otherwise things could get out of hand; the community needs to judge accordingly $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 17 at 4:06

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I personally think that Stanley Yao Xiao's answer is fine since it starts by acknowledging that it is not an answer: "Not really a complete answer, but way too long for a comment." This is a pretty standard way to write extended comments on MO.

If I were in his place, I wouldn't delete it but I might add a sentence at the beginning re-emphasizing that it does not answer the question and explaining what is missing.

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    $\begingroup$ I agree with Andy's suggestion in the last sentence. $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 17 at 4:01
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    $\begingroup$ If the answer could be edited to indicate that it doesn't actually address the question it would help to clarify the situation $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 17 at 8:36
  • $\begingroup$ Also could I please request that a moderator delete the last 2 comments on the answer to the question, which are relevant to this meta discussion and not the mathematics? $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 17 at 8:36
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    $\begingroup$ @DanielLoughran I deleted the last two comments. Also, I added an explanation at the beginning clarifying the situation you brought up in the comments below that answer. $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 17 at 11:43
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    $\begingroup$ @StanleyYaoXiao How you’ve handled this whole situation is awesome, thank you Stanley. $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 17 at 19:04
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    $\begingroup$ While I think @StanleyYaoXiao has handled this graciously, I still find it a little tonally inconsistent to say "not a complete answer" and then follow up by saying "actually, I misunderstood what was asked for". $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 17 at 19:22

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