{"id":"dat-par-electric-bill-spike","audience":"parents","category":"data","technique":"context","title":"Measure what a mistake cost on your electric bill","free":false,"task":"Your July electric bill spiked because the pool heater ran by mistake for 3 weeks. Leave July out of the last 6 months to get a normal monthly average, then price July's extra use at the current rate. Write exactly 2 numbered lines: 1) the normal average with the math, 2) July's extra kWh x rate = dollars. Plain text, under 60 words, nothing else.","materialLabel":"Your yearly usage (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"ELECTRIC USAGE - last 6 months (kWh, from the utility app)\nJun 800\nJul 1,600\nAug 850\nSep 750\nOct 650\nNov 700\n\nSame months last year (for reference): Jun 820, Jul 900, Aug 880, Sep 760, Oct 640, Nov 720\n\nRate notes:\n- Rate was $0.14 per kWh until May 31.\n- New rate since June 1: $0.16 per kWh.\n\nOther:\n- We got a smart thermostat in September.\n- Neighbor says their bill \"doubled too.\" Different house.\n- Utility offers budget billing; haven't signed up.\n- The pool heater switch is next to the patio light switch; Dan flipped the wrong one in early July.\n- We noticed when the July bill came in August.\n- Usage is from the utility app's monthly chart.\n- Thinking about a timer on the pool heater so this can't happen again.","rules":[{"type":"numberedItems","count":2},{"type":"plainText"},{"type":"maxWords","max":60}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Averaging in the spike","why":"The AI uses all 12 months, so the 'normal' average is too high.","fix":"Add: \"Leave July out of the average.\"","checks":["r0","r1"]},{"title":"Using the old rate","why":"The AI grabs $0.14, the first rate it sees.","fix":"Add: \"Use the current $0.16 rate.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"Not asking to see the work","why":"A bare dollar figure is hard to check.","fix":"Add a line to copy: \"2. July extra: 1,600 − 750 = 850 kWh x $0.16 = $136\"","checks":["numberedItems","r1"]},{"title":"Trusting the AI to count words","why":"AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it.","fix":"Cap each line: \"each line under 20 words.\"","checks":["maxWords"]},{"title":"Forgetting where it goes","why":"AI loves markdown tables and bold, which show up as clutter in a family budget note.","fix":"Add: \"Plain text, no bold, headings or tables.\"","checks":["plainText"]}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Leaves out July","patterns":["july","leave out|exclude|without"]},{"label":"Uses the current rate","patterns":["0?\\.16","current rate","new rate"]},{"label":"Asks to show the math","patterns":["show (the |your )?(math|work)","x \\$|\\bx\\b.{0,10}=","calculation","step"]},{"label":"Sets a word limit","patterns":["\\d+\\s*words","word (limit|count)","under \\d+"]},{"label":"Asks for plain text","patterns":["plain","no bold","no markdown","no formatting","no (headings|tables)"]}],"hint":"The average should describe a normal month. Tell the AI to leave out the spike and which rate applies now.","rubricLabels":["The normal average leaves out July: the other 5 months add to 3,750 kWh, ÷ 5 = 750 kWh","July's extra is 1,600 − 750 = 850 kWh","The extra is priced at the current $0.16: 850 x $0.16 = $136 (not $0.14), with no intro or energy-saving tips"]}