
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 circular table has 72 chairs around it. Determine the smallest number of people, $N$, that can be seated such that any additional person must sit next to someone already seated.
A) 15  
B) 18  
C) 21  
D) 24  
E) 30

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