
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 $f(x) = \log_a(x + b)$, where $a > 0$ and $a \neq 1$, its graph passes through the point $(2,1)$. The graph of its inverse function passes through the point $(2,8)$. Find the value of $a + b$.
A) $6$
B) $5$
C) $4$
D) $3$

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