
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 the function $f(x) = \frac{\ln{x}}{x + a}$ where $a \in \mathbb{R}$:  
(1) If the tangent to the curve $y = f(x)$ at the point $(1, f(1))$ is perpendicular to the line $x + y + 1 = 0$, find the value of $a$.  
(2) Discuss the number of real roots of the equation $f(x) = 1$.

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