Incorrect question on test

Question

"This is a number written in French: "78,005". How would it be expressed in English?" I selected 78,005 as that's correct in English. However, 78.005 is the correct answer which means that the question is really "This is a number written in English: "78,005". How would it be expressed in French?"

Laura K Lawless · Accepted Answer

Brandyn, the question is correct. In French, 78,005 is equivalent to 78.005 in English - in other words, the number 78 followed by a decimal point then 005 (meaning 5 thousandths).
If the question were "This is a number written in English: 78,005" (78 thousand and 5), the correct answer would be 78.005 in French.
In other words, when it comes to numbers, the comma/virgule and point/full stop always switch places in the 2 languages.

Cécile Janty-Davies · Answer

I am not quite sure what your point is ( excuse the pun!) Brandyn, but the lesson is to point out that a comma (virgule) in French is used for what is a decimal point in English and not to indicate thousands.
so -

French 78,005 = 78.005 English
French 1,005 = 1.005 English 
etc.

Hope this helps!

Brandyn Tam · Answer

Hi Cécile, thanks for responding. Yes, I understand the difference. I just wanted to advise that the question is incorrect. If you reread the question This is a number in French: "78,005" like on the test. That is actually the number in English, not French. So the test question should say  "This is a number written in English: "78,005".

JC28 28 · Answer

Agreed. I’ve also just failed this question, but “78.005” is not a number you would ever see expressed in English