Compare two vendor quotes over 12 and 24 months

About this exercise

Your team must pick a reporting-tool vendor under a 24-month contract. Make one markdown table with columns Vendor, 12-month cost and 24-month cost, with the arithmetic in each cell like '$1,200 x 12 + $3,000 = $17,400', then one last line 'Recommendation:' naming the cheaper vendor for the 24-month contract and the saving. Apply the free-month offer, plain text apart from the table, under 110 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Ignoring the free month. The AI charges Vendor B for all months. Try: Add: "Vendor B's first month is free: 11 months and 23 months charged."
• Results without working. The AI lists totals only. Try: Add: "Write the arithmetic in each cell."
• Deciding on the 12-month cost. The AI recommends the cheaper 12-month vendor. Try: Add: "Recommend by the 24-month cost, with the saving."
• Leaving the format to chance. The AI picks its own length and layout unless told the exact shape. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold or headings."
• 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 part instead, for example "each line under 15 words."

What a strong prompt includes

• Names the columns
• Applies the promotion
• Asks for working
• Gives the recommendation rule
• Cuts extras

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