
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
In the geometric sequence $\{a_n\}$, $a_3$ and $a_{15}$ are the roots of the equation $x^2 - 6x + 8 = 0$. Find the value of $\frac{a_1 a_{17}}{a_9}$.
A) $2\sqrt{2}$
B) $2$
C) $1$
D) $-2$

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