
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 a triangle $ \triangle ABC $ with internal angles $ A, B, $ and $ C $ opposite to the sides $ a, b, $ and $ c $ respectively. If $ (a + b)^2 - c^2 = 4 $ and $ C = 60^\circ $, find the value of $ ab $.

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