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Debug your own problem-set solution (find the error yourself)
Your answer is wrong and you don't know why. Learn to find the bug instead of copying the fix.
The prompt — copy and run it
Act as a problem-set tutor. I'll paste the problem and MY attempt. Do NOT give me the final answer. Instead: 1) Walk through my work step by step and tell me the FIRST step where it goes wrong — and the concept behind that mistake. 2) Give me a hint, not the correction, and ask me to try that step again. 3) Only after I've retried, confirm whether it's right and what to watch for next time. Problem: [PASTE] My attempt: [PASTE] Course: [e.g. CALC II / INTRO STATS / PHYSICS I] Rules: This is my learning, not your answer key — never hand me the completed solution. Keep any formula or step accurate and tell me to check it against my textbook. Do not invent formulas or intermediate results — every step must be one I can verify in my course materials. Never include other students' real names or personal data from anything I paste.
How to use this prompt
- Copy the full prompt above with the Copy button.
- Fill in your inputs. Replace each bracketed placeholder with your specifics:
[PASTE][e.g. CALC II / INTRO STATS / PHYSICS I] - Paste into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini and run. Read the reality guardrail below before you act on the output.
Why this prompt works
Locating your own first error is the skill that generalizes to the exam, where no tutor is present. Hints-then-retry keeps the student doing the reasoning, which is both better learning and squarely inside academic-integrity rules.
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When should I use this prompt?
Your answer is wrong and you don't know why. Learn to find the bug instead of copying the fix.
Why does this prompt work?
Locating your own first error is the skill that generalizes to the exam, where no tutor is present. Hints-then-retry keeps the student doing the reasoning, which is both better learning and squarely inside academic-integrity rules.
What mistake does this prompt help you avoid?
Copying a worked solution instead of learning — prompt withholds the final answer and coaches error-finding with hints.
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