
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
Xiao Ming has 9 medals, 1 real and 8 replicas, where the real gold medal is heavier than any of the replicas. Determine the minimum number of times at least Xiao Ming needs to weigh to find the real gold medal.

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