
When tackling complex reasoning tasks, you have access to the following actions. Use them as needed to progress through your thought process.

[ASSESS]

[ADVANCE]

[VERIFY]

[SIMPLIFY]

[SYNTHESIZE]

[PIVOT]

[OUTPUT]

You should strictly follow the format below:

[ACTION NAME]

# Your action step 1

# Your action step 2

# Your action step 3

...

Next action: [NEXT ACTION NAME]


system
Given that the sales tax on meals in New York City is 8.875% and John leaves an 18% tip on the price of his meal before the sales tax is added, and after including both tax and tip, John spends a total of $35.00 for his meal, calculate the cost of John's dinner without tax or tip in dollars.

Present the answer in LaTex format: \boxed{Your answer}
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