How to fool Chat GPT with non-linear thinking #chatgpt

Science & Technology

Introduction

If it takes three towels three hours to dry on the line, how long does it take nine towels to dry? I asked this question to Chat GPT, the AI chatbot designed to mimic human interactions, and this is what it said: "If it takes three times three hours to dry on the line, then it would take nine hours for nine towels to dry." It provided this reasoning: "It uses the correct reasoning because the drying time is directly proportional to the number of towels. If you double the number of towels, then you should double the amount of time it takes. If you triple the number of towels, then you should triple the amount of time it takes."

However, this reasoning is flawed. Clearly, if your line is big enough, it shouldn't take any longer to dry nine towels than it takes to dry three towels. This situation demonstrates a key point: in this case, the relationship is constant, not linear. It doesn’t matter how many towels you're drying on the line; it takes the same amount of time as long as the line can accommodate them.

Maybe this is the expected behavior for Chat GPT, because it's trying to mimic human behavior and interactions. Interestingly, many people might actually agree with the chatbot's answer, as we are often so ingrained with the idea of linearity that we don't stop to consider whether the relationship could be constant.

This example underscores the importance of understanding the context and nature of the problem rather than relying solely on linear thinking.

Keywords

  • Chat GPT
  • AI chatbot
  • drying time
  • proportionality
  • linear thinking
  • non-linear thinking
  • constant relationship
  • human interactions

FAQ

Q: Why does Chat GPT suggest a linear relationship in drying time?

A: Chat GPT mimics human behavior and interactions. Many people might assume that drying time is directly proportional to the number of towels, leading to the suggestion of a linear relationship.

Q: Is the drying time for towels on a line truly linear?

A: No, the drying time is constant in this case. As long as the line is big enough to accommodate the towels, it takes the same amount of time regardless of the number.

Q: Why do people often assume linearity in such problems?

A: People are often ingrained with the idea of linearity because it simplifies many problems and appears intuitive. This can lead to overlooking non-linear relationships.

Q: What is the correct drying time for nine towels if it takes three hours to dry three towels?

A: The correct drying time is still three hours, assuming the line can accommodate all nine towels simultaneously.