
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 $y = a + \frac{b}{x}$, where $a$ and $b$ are constants, and if $y = 2$ when $x = -2$ and $y = 6$ when $x = -6$, determine the value of $a + b$.
A) 18
B) 20
C) 22
D) 24
E) 26

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