Recently, folks have downvoted, closed, and now deleted a question which I feel is a great question.
I suspect that either I will get a fantastic answer here why this is really a terrible question (in advance, thanks for the explanation) or I am hoping that folks will be open to reconsideration for the status of the question.
First, for those who have moderator privileges, here is the now deleted question: Reasoning about products of reals
For a math expert, this question is perhaps so obvious that it is stupid. I would argue that questions are not about what is obvious to the expert but what is helpful to the sincere learner.
The question relates to reasoning about real numbers.
Take 2 sets of real numbers:
- $x_1, x_2, \dots, x_n$ and $y_1, y_2, \dots, y_m$ such that $\prod\limits_{1 \le i \le n} x_i > \prod\limits_{1 \le j \le m} y_j$.
Let $k$ be any positive real number.
Does it necessarily follow that $\prod\limits_{1 \le i \le n} (x_i+k) > \prod\limits_{1 \le j \le m} (y_j +k)$
The answer is no. This result is so surprising to me that I was excited by the answer!
I understand that professional mathematicians are expected to know this and should do the proper analysis to find the counter example. Not all of us are as gifted in carrying out this analysis. I for one am not (though, I would like to think that my many years on this site has greatly improved my mathematical abilities)
I am not clear why a question and answer that is so important to me was closed and then deleted.
I am fine with the downvote. That would be the expected response to anyone who disagrees with the clarity, quality, or value of a question.
In the case of this question, there was not too much activity so I was not clear why closing was needed. I did not object because I figured that as long as the question was available, the answers were available.
I am writing this to question the forceful deleting the question with the note that the question needs to be revised.
Typically, a question as general as mine would not be accurate. In this case, I think that it is accurate since the question literally relates to the nature of products of reals.
If you have suggestions for improving the title or the question itself I am very open.
If you have explanations for why this is a stupid question that is better deleted, I am very open to that too. I have been active on this site for a very long time and would be very glad to continue to improve in the quality of my questions.
Update: I have updated my mse question to what was intended.
In rereading it, I realize that what was originally asked was unclear and insufficient context had been provided. I have revised it after posting this question.
I have added additional details to provide some context for my thinking.
I leave it to folks here whether the question is worth undeleting or not. Great points were made to why the question is unclear. I appreciate the article pointed out to me by amWhy: How to ask a good question.
I thank everyone for their time in reading this question. I feel that my question has been addressed and am open to leaving the question deleted if that is what folks feel is best for the site. :-)