
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
A hiker covers a certain distance at a constant velocity. If he increased his speed by $1$ mph, he would cover the distance in three-quarters of the original time; if he decreased his speed by $1$ mph, he would take an additional $3$ hours to cover the same distance. What was the initial distance covered in miles?
A) 16.5
B) 18
C) 19.5
D) 21
E) 22.5

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