
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 that the graph of a linear function $y=kx+b$ passes through the point (-1, -5) and intersects the graph of the proportional function $y=\frac{1}{2}x$ at the point (2, a), find:
1. The value of a;
2. The values of k and b;
3. The area of the triangle formed by the graphs of these two functions and the x-axis.

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