Find which step of your algebra work went wrong

About this exercise

You solved an Algebra 1 word problem and got the wrong answer, but you want to find and fix the mistake yourself. Get exactly 5 numbered lines, one per step of your work, each labeled exactly OK or Error, with a reason under 12 words for any Error, plain text. It must not give the correct equation, any corrected step or the final answer.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Asking if it's right. The AI's default is to re-solve the problem and show you the right answer. Try: Say: "Don't fix anything or give the answer. Just label each step."
• Not giving exact labels. Without fixed labels, the AI writes a paragraph about what went wrong instead of pointing to the step. Try: Say: "Label each step exactly OK or Error."
• Not saying how many lines. The AI picks its own number, and it usually picks more lines than you need. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 5 numbered lines."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each reason: "reason under 10 words."
• Not pointing to the method. The AI may flag every step after the first slip as wrong, which hides where it started. Try: Add: "Judge each step on its own, like Mr. Kowalski's rule."

What a strong prompt includes

• Gives exact labels
• Says not to give the answer
• Says how many lines
• Judges each step
• Asks for plain text

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