
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 $f(x) = \begin{cases} x+2 & (x\leq-1) \\ x^{2} & (-1<x<2) \\ 2x & (x\geq2)\end{cases}$.
1. Find the values of $f(-4)$, $f(3)$, and $f[f(-2)]$.
2. If $f(a) = 0$, find the value of $a$.

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