Summarize year-over-year spend changes for the CFO with correct math

About this exercise

Write a prompt for a note to Raj Patel, the CFO. Start with "Raj," then exactly four lines: "Total:", "Biggest dollar increase:", "Biggest percent increase:" and "Only decrease:". Show the math for each: change in dollars and percent with one decimal. Do not explain causes. Plain text, under 110 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Mixing up dollar and percent leaders. The AI names the same category for both. Try: Say: "Biggest dollar increase and biggest percent increase can be different categories; show the math for each."
• Explaining causes. The AI says the increase is due to seasonal demand. Try: Say: "Do not explain causes."
• Total wrong. The AI mis-adds the categories. Try: Say: "Show the total math for both years."
• Missing the greeting or lines. The AI writes a paragraph. Try: Say: "First line: Raj, then exactly four lines."
• Markdown extras and long output. AI adds bold, headings and bullets by default, which show up as stray symbols where this is pasted. Try: Say "plain text, no bold, no headings" and cap each line, for example "each line under 15 words".

What a strong prompt includes

• Names the reader
• Quotes the four labels
• Defines percent change
• Bans causes
• Asks for plain text

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