Beyond Solving Math Quiz: Evaluating the Ability of Large Reasoning Models to Ask for Information
On the map: LLM reasoning → Mathematical reasoning
Abstract (arXiv)
Large Reasoning Models (LRMs) have demonstrated remarkable problem-solving abilities in mathematics, as evaluated by existing benchmarks exclusively on well-defined problems. However, such evaluation setup constitutes a critical gap, since a genuine intelligent agent should not only solve problems (as a math quiz solver), but also be able~to ask for information when the problems lack sufficient information, enabling proactivity in responding users' requests. To bridge such gap, we proposes a new dataset consisting of two types of incomplete problems with diverse contexts. Based on the dataset, our systematical evaluation of LRMs reveals their inability in proactively asking for information. In addition, we uncover the behaviors related to overthinking and hallucination of LRMs, and highlight the potential and challenges of supervised fine-tuning in learning such ability. We hope to provide new insights in developing LRMs with genuine intelligence, rather than just solving problems.
Key facts. Cited by 1 paper in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Placed in Mathematical reasoning, one of 17 directions in LLM reasoning. Builds on 20 of its 62 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 15 Aug 2025.
Builds on
20 of 62 references.
References · 20
- 2015Distilling the Knowledge in a Neural Networkcited by 10,324
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- 2025DeepSeek-R1: Incentivizing Reasoning Capability in LLMs via Reinforcement Learningcited by 6,330
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- 2025Cognitive Behaviors that Enable Self-Improving Reasoners, or, Four Habits of Highly Effective STaRscited by 377
8 more
- 2024Foundational Challenges in Assuring Alignment and Safety of Large Language Modelscited by 199
- 2024OpenRLHF: An Easy-to-use, Scalable and High-performance RLHF Frameworkcited by 73
- 2022CLAM: Selective Clarification for Ambiguous Questions with Generative Language Modelscited by 69
- 2025QuestBench: Can LLMs ask the right question to acquire information in reasoning tasks?cited by 63
- 2025RedStar: Does Scaling Long-CoT Data Unlock Better Slow-Reasoning Systems?cited by 60
- 2024ChatShop: Interactive Information Seeking with Language Agentscited by 24
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Citing papers per year: 2026: 1.
1 paper.
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Close in wording, no citation either way
- 2025Answering the Unanswerable Is to Err Knowingly: Analyzing and Mitigating Abstention Failures in Large Reasoning Models
- 2026An Enigma of Artificial Reason: Investigating the Production-Evaluation Gap in Large Reasoning Models
- 2025A Survey on Large Language Models for Mathematical Reasoning
- 2025Large Language Models and Mathematical Reasoning Failures
- 2023Novice Learner and Expert Tutor: Evaluating Math Reasoning Abilities of Large Language Models with Misconceptions
- 2025The Illusion of Thinking: Understanding the Strengths and Limitations of Reasoning Models via the Lens of Problem Complexity
- 2024Expanding Search Space with Diverse Prompting Agents: An Efficient Sampling Approach for LLM Mathematical Reasoning
- 2024Large Language Models for Mathematical Reasoning: Progresses and Challenges