
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
If $r$ and $s$ are the roots of $x^2 - (a+1)x + a = 0$, determine the value of $(r-s)^2$.
A) $a^2 + 2a + 1$
B) $a^2$
C) $a^2 - 2a + 1$
D) $2a^2 - 2a + 1$
E) $a^2 - 2a - 1$

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