For problems with several steps, models perform better when they work through the reasoning rather than jumping to an answer.
When It Helps
- Arithmetic and quantitative problems.
- Multi-criteria decisions and comparisons.
- Logic puzzles and planning.
- Diagnosing problems from symptoms.
- Tasks requiring several facts to be combined.
How to Ask
- "Work through this step by step before giving your answer."
- "First list the relevant facts, then evaluate each option against the criteria, then decide."
- Provide a worked example showing the reasoning pattern you want.
Separate Reasoning From the Answer
Ask for reasoning in one section and the final answer in another, clearly marked — for example inside <answer> tags — so the answer can be extracted and shown cleanly.
Reasoning Models
Some models are designed to reason internally before responding. For these, detailed step-by-step instructions are usually unnecessary; a clear problem statement and success criteria matter more. Follow the provider's guidance.
Check the Reasoning
A plausible explanation doesn't guarantee correctness. Verify key steps for important decisions.
Don't Use It Everywhere
For simple classification or extraction, reasoning adds latency and cost without much benefit.