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Convert a lab group's mixed units and average the good trials
Practice: Catching mistakes and made-up facts. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
Your lab group logged the same sample's mass in mixed units. Your TA said trial 4 was weighed on the uncalibrated scale, so drop it. Write exactly 5 numbered lines, one per trial, each showing the conversion to grams (or dropped), then one unnumbered last line: Average: (values) ÷ 4 = X g. Plain text, under 80 words.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Not mentioning the bad trial. The sheet only hints at it, so the AI averages in 3.9 g. Try: Add: "Drop trial 4: uncalibrated scale."
- Not asking to see the conversions. Unit slips (mg vs kg) are the most common lab math error. Try: Add a line to copy: "2. Trial 2: 2,400 mg ÷ 1,000 = 2.4 g"
- Letting it write your analysis. The AI drafts a percent-yield discussion, which is your graded work. Try: Add: "Just the conversions and the average."
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each line: "each line under 12 words."
- Forgetting where it goes. AI loves markdown tables and bold, which show up as clutter in your lab notebook. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold, headings or tables."
What a strong prompt includes
- Drops trial 4
- Converts to grams
- Asks to show the math
- Sets a word limit
- Asks for plain text
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