
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
Three villages are connected by paths as follows: 
1. From Downend to Uphill, the detour via Middleton is $1 \mathrm{~km}$ longer than the direct path.
2. From Downend to Middleton, the detour via Uphill is $5 \mathrm{~km}$ longer than the direct path.
3. From Uphill to Middleton, the detour via Downend is $7 \mathrm{~km}$ longer than the direct path.

What is the length of the shortest of the three direct paths between the villages?

A $1 \mathrm{~km}$
B $2 \mathrm{~km}$
C $3 \mathrm{~km}$
D $4 \mathrm{~km}$
E $5 \mathrm{~km}$

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