
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
Compare the magnitude of two algebraic expressions in the following groups:
(1) $x^2 - x$ and $x - 2$;
(2) Given that $a$ and $b$ are positive numbers, and $a \neq b$, compare the magnitude of $a^3 + b^3$ and $a^2b + ab^2$.

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