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Split your first paycheck with the math shown

  • For High school students
  • You practice Showing an example of what you want
  • Time about 5 minutes

About this exercise

You got your first paycheck from your weekend job and want a simple plan for it. Using the take-home pay (not the gross), get exactly 4 numbered lines in plain text, each showing the math, like "1. Car savings: 30% x $410 = $123": car savings, your phone bill share, gas, and what's left to spend. Under 70 words, no tips. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Using the gross pay. The AI sees $480 first and takes 30% of that, which is money you never got. Try: Add: "Use my take-home pay of $410, not the gross."
  • No math shown. The AI lists amounts without the working, so you can't check them. Try: Show it: "Format each line like: 1. Car savings: 30% x $410 = $123".
  • Getting money tips. The AI adds advice about emergency funds, investing or your headphones. Try: Add: "No tips or advice, just the 4 lines."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 70 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part: "each line under 12 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Uses take-home pay
  • Shows an example line
  • Rules out tips
  • Sets the number of lines
  • Sets a word limit

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