
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
Define the operation "" such that $ab = a^2 + 2ab - b^2$. Let the function $f(x) = x2$, and the equation $f(x) = \lg|x + 2|$ (where $x \neq -2$) has exactly four distinct real roots $x_1, x_2, x_3, x_4$. Find the value of $x_1 + x_2 + x_3 + x_4$.

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