The Experiment: Researchers trained AI models (Transformers) to solve a complex arithmetic problem called the "long Collatz step".
The "Language" Matters: The AI's ability to solve the problem depended entirely on how the numbers were written. Models using bases divisible by 8 (like 16 or 24) achieved nearly 100% accuracy, while those using odd bases struggled significantly.
Pattern Matching, Not Math: The AI did not learn the actual arithmetic rules. Instead, it learned to recognize specific patterns in the binary endings of numbers (zeros and ones) to predict the answer.
Principled Errors: When the AI failed, it didn't hallucinate random answers. It usually performed the correct calculation but misjudged the length of the sequence, defaulting to the longest pattern it had already memorized.
Conclusion: These models solve complex math by acting as pattern recognizers rather than calculators. They struggle with the "control structure" (loops) of algorithms unless the input format reveals the answer through shortcuts.
niek_pas•11m ago
poszlem•3m ago
The Experiment: Researchers trained AI models (Transformers) to solve a complex arithmetic problem called the "long Collatz step".
The "Language" Matters: The AI's ability to solve the problem depended entirely on how the numbers were written. Models using bases divisible by 8 (like 16 or 24) achieved nearly 100% accuracy, while those using odd bases struggled significantly.
Pattern Matching, Not Math: The AI did not learn the actual arithmetic rules. Instead, it learned to recognize specific patterns in the binary endings of numbers (zeros and ones) to predict the answer.
Principled Errors: When the AI failed, it didn't hallucinate random answers. It usually performed the correct calculation but misjudged the length of the sequence, defaulting to the longest pattern it had already memorized.
Conclusion: These models solve complex math by acting as pattern recognizers rather than calculators. They struggle with the "control structure" (loops) of algorithms unless the input format reveals the answer through shortcuts.