
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
In preparing for an exhibition, Nora wants to display her nine uniquely sized lion figurines in a straight line on her shelf. The shortest and the tallest figurines, which Nora considers special, must be placed at the opposite ends of the line. In how many ways can she arrange the figurines under these conditions?

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