
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
Triangle  $ABC$  is right angled at  $A$ . The circle with center  $A$  and radius  $AB$  cuts  $BC$  and  $AC$  internally at  $D$  and  $E$  respectively. If  $BD = 20$  and  $DC = 16$ , determine  $AC^2$ .

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