TDA-RC: Task-Driven Alignment for Knowledge-Based Reasoning Chains in Large Language Models

arXiv cs.AI / 4/8/2026

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Key Points

  • The paper argues that while Chain-of-Thought (CoT) is efficient in single-round LLM reasoning, its generated reasoning chains can contain logical gaps.
  • It proposes TDA-RC, a topology-based alignment method that embeds key topological patterns found in stronger but costlier multi-round methods like Tree-of-Thoughts and Graph-of-Thoughts into a lightweight CoT setting.
  • Using persistent homology, the approach maps CoT/ToT/GoT reasoning structures into a unified topological space to quantify structural characteristics.
  • A “Topological Optimization Agent” then diagnoses how a CoT chain deviates from desired topological features and generates targeted repair strategies to fix those structural deficiencies.
  • Experiments across multiple datasets indicate the method achieves a better trade-off than multi-round reasoning, aiming for “single-round generation with multi-round intelligence.”

Abstract

Enhancing the reasoning capability of large language models (LLMs) remains a core challenge in natural language processing. The Chain-of-Thought (CoT) paradigm dominates practical applications for its single-round efficiency, yet its reasoning chains often exhibit logical gaps. While multi-round paradigms like Graph-of-Thoughts (GoT), Tree-of-Thoughts (ToT), and Atom of Thought (AoT) achieve strong performance and reveal effective reasoning structures, their high cost limits practical use. To address this problem, this paper proposes a topology-based method for optimizing reasoning chains. The framework embeds essential topological patterns of effective reasoning into the lightweight CoT paradigm. Using persistent homology, we map CoT, ToT, and GoT into a unified topological space to quantify their structural features. On this basis, we design a unified optimization system: a Topological Optimization Agent diagnoses deviations in CoT chains from desirable topological characteristics and simultaneously generates targeted strategies to repair these structural deficiencies. Compared with multi-round reasoning methods like ToT and GoT, experiments on multiple datasets show that our approach offers a superior balance between reasoning accuracy and efficiency, showcasing a practical solution to ``single-round generation with multi-round intelligence''.