
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 $$f(x)=\cos x( \sqrt {3}\sin x-\cos x)$$.
(1) Find the smallest positive period and the intervals of monotonic decrease for the function $f(x)$;
(2) Let $\triangle ABC$ have internal angles $A$, $B$, $C$ with opposite sides $a$, $b$, $c$ respectively, and $f(B) = \frac {1}{2}$, $a+c=1$, find the range of values for $b$.

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