Build Your First LLM from ScratchPart 2 · Section 5 of 7
What It Can & Cannot Do
Can Do
- Basic arithmetic with numbers 0-99
- Single operations (one plus, minus, times, or divided by)
- Output results as English words
Cannot Do
- Numbers above 99
- Chained operations ("two plus three minus one")
- Decimals or fractions
- Parentheses or order of operations
These limitations are by design. We're building a learning tool, not a production calculator. The concepts transfer directly to larger models.
Helpful?