What should participants do if they notice an error in a tie-breaker question?

Participants should inform the competition officials as soon as possible if they notice an error in a tie-breaker question. This action is crucial for maintaining the integrity and fairness of the competition. By alerting the officials, participants ensure that the issue is addressed promptly, which can help resolve any confusion or disputes that may arise from the error. This not only protects the interests of the participants involved but also upholds the standards of the competition organization.

In contrast, ignoring the error and attempting to answer based on that could lead to confusion, and it reflects a lack of engagement with the competition rules. Consulting fellow competitors is not advisable, as it does not resolve the issue and could lead to misinformation. Waiting until the end of the competition to raise the matter can further complicate the situation, as decisions made during the competition may already be impacted by the error. Therefore, early communication with officials is the best course of action to ensure a fair process.