# What is the protocol for telling others you have found your mistake in your working?

I sometimes ask a question which is a problem that I can't solve because I have made a calculative error. Often, all it takes is for someone to point out the small error I have made (or for me to realise the error after reading the answers). How should I let the users know that I have found the source of my troubles? Should it be a comment on the question, or an edit inside the body of the question? One could also answer the question, but that is probably the worst option because it takes the credit away from other users. A comment may be overlooked, so I am leaning towards putting an edit into the question. Is this standard protocol?

As an example, I have found out the reason why I have calculated the order of $\tau\sigma$ and $\tau\sigma^2$ incorrectly (by assuming commutativity) in this question.

• My personal preference would be for a edit at the bottom of the question as it is easy to see for anyone first viewing the question. – Chris Nov 22 '15 at 1:17
• You could make it an answer but check the community wiki box so as not to gain reputation points. This is an especially good option is there are no existing answers, so it can be removed from the unanswered queue. – Cheerful Parsnip Nov 22 '15 at 15:00
• @Burn-Man: I agree, except that I would put the edit at the top of the question, so that nobody misses it. Something like: "Edited to add: Problem solved! My mistake was such-and-such." – TonyK Nov 22 '15 at 22:52