A member of a middle pre-algebra class is having a difficult time graphing a line...

The student's initial prompt, "help with math," is a classic example of an underspecified prompt. To optimize the outcome, the student mustgive context on why the help is needed. In prompt engineering, context is the information that surrounds the core request to give it meaning. By explaining that they are in a "middle pre-algebra class" and are specifically struggling with "graphing a line," the student provides the AI with the necessary boundaries to provide an age-appropriate and topic-specific explanation.

Without this context, the AI might provide a high-level calculus proof or a simple elementary addition example, neither of which solves the student's problem. Providing context allows the AI to "zoom in" on the specific pain point. Effective optimization often involves adding the "what" (graphing a line), the "who" (a pre-algebra student), and the "why" (trouble with a homework assignment). This ensures the AI adopts the correct educational level and provides a step-by-step breakdown suitable for a middle schooler, rather than a generic or overly complex mathematical response.