Reconcile a card processor deposit and keep the gap unexplained

About this exercise

You're checking one day's card processor deposit. Write a prompt for plain text with lines starting "Fees:", "Expected deposit:", "Actual deposit:" and "Difference:", each with the math. Fees are the percentage on gross sales plus the per-transaction fee. Don't explain the difference with a guess from the notes; call it unexplained. Under 70 words. No bullets or numbering.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Naming the chargeback. The AI says the $50 is probably a chargeback. Try: Add: "Call it unexplained; do not name a cause."
• Plugging to bank fees. The AI agrees to book the gap to bank fees. Try: Add: "Do not suggest booking the difference anywhere."
• Forgetting the per-transaction fee. The AI computes only 2.9% = $290. Try: Say: "Fees = 2.9% x gross + 80 x $0.30."
• Markdown extras. The AI adds bold labels, headings and a closing note. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold. Output only the lines asked for."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting and runs past word limits. Try: Ask for fewer words than the real cap and keep each line short.

What a strong prompt includes

• Names the four lines
• Gives the fee formula
• Gives the expected formula
• Bans a cause or plug
• Caps length

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