Analyzing a Flawed Problem Decomposition Strategy
A large language model is tasked with solving the following complex problem: "Plan a cost-effective, three-day weekend trip for two people from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park during the summer, including transportation, lodging, and two planned activities." The model is instructed to first break the problem down into a sequence of simpler sub-problems to solve. It produces the following sequence:
- What are popular hiking trails in Yosemite?
- How much does gas cost per gallon in California?
- What is the price of a 3-star hotel near the park?
- What is the total budget for the trip?
- What is the driving time from San Francisco to Yosemite?
Analyze this sequence of sub-problems. Identify at least two significant flaws in the decomposition or the ordering of the steps. For each flaw, explain why it makes the problem-solving process inefficient or likely to produce a poor-quality final plan. Finally, propose a more logical and effective sequence of sub-problems.
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Ch.3 Prompting - Foundations of Large Language Models
Foundations of Large Language Models
Foundations of Large Language Models Course
Computing Sciences
Analysis in Bloom's Taxonomy
Cognitive Psychology
Psychology
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Empirical Science
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Formula for Representing Problem Decomposition
Symbol p0 in Problem Decomposition
A complex reasoning problem is presented to a large language model. The goal is to break the problem down into a series of simpler, sequential sub-problems to guide the model to the correct answer.
Problem: "Alice, Bob, and Carol are a doctor, a lawyer, and an engineer, but not necessarily in that order. The doctor is Carol's sister. Bob is not the lawyer. Who is the engineer?"
Which of the following sequences of sub-problems represents the most effective decomposition and problem-solving path for the model to follow?
Critiquing a Problem-Solving Path
Analyzing a Flawed Problem Decomposition Strategy
To solve a complex reasoning problem, it is often broken down into a series of simpler sub-problems that are solved sequentially. For the main problem below, arrange the provided sub-problems into the most logical and effective sequence for a model to follow.
Main Problem: A company has two data centers, A and B. Data center A has 500 servers, and each server consumes 400 watts of power. Data center B has 300 servers, and each server consumes 600 watts. If the cost of electricity is $0.12 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), what is the total daily electricity cost for both data centers combined?