Chain of Thought
Master transparent, step-by-step reasoning for more accurate and explainable AI agents
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0 / 5 completedBreaking Down Complex Reasoning
The heart of chain-of-thought reasoning is decomposition—breaking complex problems into smaller, manageable steps. Each step should be simple enough to verify independently, yet connect logically to form a complete reasoning chain.
Interactive: Walk Through Examples
Select different problems to see how CoT breaks them down step-by-step
Problem:
How many legs do 3 dogs and 2 cats have in total?
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Identify what we know: Dogs have 4 legs, cats have 4 legs
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Calculate dog legs: 3 dogs × 4 legs = 12 legs
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Calculate cat legs: 2 cats × 4 legs = 8 legs
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Add totals: 12 + 8 = 20 legs
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Final answer: 20 legs total
Best Practices for Step-by-Step Reasoning
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Start with What You Know
Explicitly state given information, formulas, and constraints before proceeding
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One Operation Per Step
Don't combine multiple calculations—break them into individual, verifiable steps
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Show Intermediate Results
Display the result of each step before moving to the next one
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Use Clear Transitions
Words like "therefore," "next," "now that we know" help connect logical steps
5️⃣
Verify Along the Way
Check if intermediate results make sense before continuing
Try It Yourself: Build a Reasoning Chain
Problem: If you save $50 per week for 8 weeks, then spend $120 on a gift, how much do you have left?
Write out each step of your reasoning (no need to submit—this is just practice!)