Gotcha Run: May 28, 2026

Count The R's

A tiny deterministic gotcha with an embarrassingly clear answer.

Prompt

temp 0 max 512 tokens first response only 
How many times does the letter "r" appear in the word "strawberry"?

First answer with just the number on its own line. Then, on the following lines, list each position of the letter "r" to show your count.

Pick your favorite

Model names stay hidden until you pick. Choose the output you like best, then see which model made it.

Model

Hidden 


			3

3
8
9

Model

Hidden 


			3

Position 3: st**r**awberry
Position 8: strawbe**r**ry
Position 9: strawber**r**y

Model

Hidden 


			3
Position 3
Position 8
Position 9

Model

Hidden 


			2

The word "strawberry" is: s-t-r-a-w-b-e-r-r-y
1. The letter "r" appears at position 3: s-t-**r**-a-w-b-e-r-r-y
2. The letter "r" appears at position 8: s-t-r-a-w-b-e-**r**-r-y 
   (Corrected count) The correct count is at positions 3 and 8, and also at position 9 (when counting correctly): s-t-r-a-w-b-e-r-**r**-y 
   So the correct positions are 3, 8 and 9.

Let me re-evaluate: 
s-t-r-a-w-b-e-r-r-y
1. The "r" is at position 3.
2. The "r" is at position 8.
3. The "r" is at position 9.

3

The correct count is 3.
The positions are:
1. Position 3
2. Position 8
3. Position 9

Model

Hidden 


			3
Position 3
Position 8
Position 9

Model

Hidden 


			3

2  
4  
9

Get the next showdown

One useful model comparison, written for builders, when a new Arena entry ships.