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Find which food truck item earns the least per week

Practice: Keeping the AI to your sources. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

You run a taco truck and want to review the price of whichever item earns the least weekly profit. Write exactly 4 numbered lines, one per item, each showing (price − cost) x units = weekly profit, then one unnumbered last line naming the item to review. Use your supplier's new cost, plain text, under 70 words, nothing else.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Using the old cost. The AI reads the table, so brisket looks like the best earner. Try: Add: "Use the supplier's new $3.50 brisket cost."
  • Not asking to see the work. Without the math you can't check which number is off. Try: Add a line to copy: "1. Brisket taco: ($5 − $3.50) x 200 = $300"
  • Getting a business plan. The AI adds horchata ideas and rent advice you didn't ask for. Try: Add: "Then one line naming the item to review. Nothing else."
  • 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 phone notes. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold, headings or tables."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Uses the new cost
  • Asks to show the math
  • Defines profit
  • Sets a word limit
  • Asks for plain text

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