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Compute notice deadlines and days left for three contracts

  • For Accountants
  • You practice Catching mistakes and made-up facts
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Advanced

About this exercise

You're building a short contract notice calendar for AP on Nov 6, 2026. Write a prompt for plain text with one line per contract sorted by notice deadline, formatted "Contract - deadline - days from Nov 6", where a passed deadline reads "PASSED N days ago". The deadline is the term end minus the notice period. A final line must say to confirm dates with the contract owner or legal before relying on them. Don't say whether to renew or cancel. Under 90 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Using Dana's date. The AI repeats Nov 15 for Contract A. Try: Say: "Compute from the contract text only; ignore guesses."
  • Date arithmetic slips. The AI is off by a few days around month ends. Try: Add: "Deadline = term end minus the notice period in calendar days; days = deadline minus Nov 6."
  • Advising renewal or skipping the check. The AI says 'keep Northwind' and never tells the reader to confirm the dates. Try: Add: "Do not say whether to renew or cancel. End with: confirm with the owner or legal."
  • 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

  • Gives the line format
  • Defines the deadline
  • Handles passed deadlines
  • Ignores guesses
  • Adds the legal check

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