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Using call subtraction for a put payoff

A put holder payoff is max(K−S,0), rather than the call expression max(S−K,0).

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Read the original below-strike input

Strike is 100 and terminal price 90. The put holder’s favorable difference is 100−90=10. The call holder’s difference is 90−100<0 and its payoff is zero.

Inspect both subtraction order and zero floor

Using max(90−100,0) for the put produces zero and describes the wrong contract. Using 90−100 without a floor additionally permits a negative holder payoff. These are distinct errors.

Original expression audit
ExpressionResultObject
max(100−90,0)10Put holder
max(90−100,0)0Call holder
90−100−10Unfloored difference

Write the regions before substituting numbers

Below strike the put pays K−S; at or above strike it pays zero. A writer’s payoff then adds a separate negative sign. Reversing the contract expression is not a substitute for applying the position sign.

Use an above-strike test too

At S=120 the same put should pay zero while the call pays 20. Testing both regions confirms the contract direction better than repeating one below-strike example with new numbers.

Further references