Break Down the Question

See the Difference

Same complex question. One asks for sub-questions first.

Direct complex question

You: "Should I buy a house or keep renting?"

AI: It depends on your situation. Buying builds equity but requires a down payment and commitment. Renting offers flexibility but you don't build ownership. Generally, if you plan to stay 5+ years and can afford it, buying might make sense. If you value flexibility or aren't sure about the area, renting could be better...

Generic advice. Doesn't account for your specific situation.

With sub-questions first

You: "Should I buy a house or keep renting? Before answering, identify the sub-questions we need to answer first to give a useful response."

AI: To answer this well, we need to figure out:

1. How long do you plan to stay in this area?
2. What's your current savings and down payment ability?
3. What are property taxes and maintenance costs in your area?
4. How do local rent prices compare to mortgage payments?
5. Do you have stable income to handle ownership costs?

Want me to walk through each one?

Now you see what factors actually matter for your decision.

Why This Works

AI reasons better when questions are broken into smaller parts. Complex questions have hidden assumptions and missing information. Breaking them down reveals what you actually need to know.

When AI identifies sub-questions first, it's forced to think about what information matters before jumping to conclusions. You get advice tailored to your situation instead of generic guidance.

Phrases That Work

"Before answering, what sub-questions do we need to answer first?"
"Break this question into the smaller questions that need to be answered."
"What do we need to figure out before we can answer this properly?"
"Generate three questions that would help you give a more accurate answer."
"What information would change your answer? Ask me those questions first."

The Technique

For complex questions, ask AI to identify the smaller questions first. Answer those, then combine them for a better final answer.

When to Use This

• Big life decisions (buying a house, changing careers, moving)
• Questions with many variables
• When a simple answer feels too simple
• Strategy and planning questions
• Technical problems with multiple possible causes
• Any "it depends" question where you want to know what it depends on