My own understanding CHUDANANDA KUMAR BODAM 11824090 How the Tree of Thoughts (ToT) Framework Builds a Graph The Tree of Thoughts (ToT) framework treats problem-solving like navigating a branching maze. Instead of following a single straight path, it explores multiple possibilities at each step, much like how a chess player thinks several moves ahead before making a decision. How the Graph (Tree) is Formed ToT structures problem-solving as a tree, where each step in reasoning is a "node," and the choices between steps create "edges." The process unfolds in four main stages: 1. Breaking the Problem into Steps – Instead of jumping straight to an answer, the problem is divided into intermediate steps, called “thoughts.” These are meaningful chunks of reasoning, like solving part of a math equation before getting to the final answer. 2. Generating Possible Next Steps – At each stage, the model doesn’t pick just one path forward but considers multiple possibilities. This way, it can explore different angles before committing. 3. Evaluating the Options – Not every path is useful, so the model checks which steps are promising. It might eliminate bad choices early or look ahead to see which paths seem the most productive. 4. Searching for the Best Solution – The model can explore the tree in different ways: o Breadth-first search (BFS): Exploring multiple options at each step before moving forward. o Depth-first search (DFS): Following one path deeply, backtracking if it leads nowhere. What Are the Nodes? Each node in the tree represents a different stage of reasoning. Some key types of nodes include: The starting point (e.g., the given problem or input). Intermediate reasoning steps (possible solutions being explored). Nodes where different options are tested and compared. Points where the model backtracks if a path doesn’t work. The final solution, if a correct answer is found. What Are the Edges? Edges connect different thoughts, showing how one idea leads to the next. Some examples: Moving from the problem statement to possible first steps. Connecting different approaches to solving a problem. Eliminating weak ideas and focusing on stronger ones. My own understanding CHUDANANDA KUMAR BODAM 11824090 Backtracking when an approach doesn’t work. Leading to the final answer when a successful reasoning path is found. Why This Works By structuring problem-solving as a tree instead of a straight path, ToT helps models think more like humans—exploring, evaluating, and adjusting as they go. This approach significantly improves success rates, especially in problems that require strategic planning, reasoning, or creative thinking.
