Find unexplained gaps in a sales invoice number sequence

About this exercise

You're checking the completeness of the sales invoice sequence for October. Write a prompt for plain text with lines starting "Sequence:", "Missing numbers:", "Documented:" and "Unexplained gaps:". Documented means the void log explains the number. List the unexplained numbers and their count. Don't guess why a number is missing. Under 60 words. No bullets or numbering.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Treating the clerk's guesses as explanations. The AI marks 5004 as a test invoice and 5009 as cancelled. Try: Add: "Do not guess why a number is missing; only the void log documents a gap."
• Missing a number. The AI misses 5007 or 5009 in the missing list. Try: Say: "Missing numbers: every number from 5001 to 5012 not on the listing."
• No count. The AI lists the unexplained numbers without the count. Try: Add: "Unexplained gaps: the numbers with the count."
• 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
• Uses the void log
• Asks for the count
• Bans guessing
• Caps length

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