LLMs: Exploring Arithmetic Capabilities in the Pursuit of AGI

2024-12-24

This article explores why large language models (LLMs) are being used for calculation. While LLMs excel at natural language processing, researchers are attempting to make them perform mathematical operations, from simple addition to complex theorem proving. This isn't to replace calculators, but to explore the reasoning capabilities of LLMs and ultimately achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI). The article points out that humans have always tried to use new technology for computation, and testing the mathematical abilities of LLMs is a way to test their reasoning abilities. However, the process of LLMs performing calculations is drastically different from that of calculators; the former relies on vast knowledge bases and probabilistic models, while the latter is based on deterministic algorithms. Therefore, LLM calculation results are not always accurate and reliable, highlighting the trade-off between practicality and research.