
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 cowboy is 5 miles south of a stream which flows due east. He is also 6 miles west and 9 miles north of his cabin. He needs to water his horse at the stream before returning home. The shortest distance (in miles) he can travel to accomplish this is
A) $5 + 2\sqrt{58}$  
B) $12 + \sqrt{232}$  
C) $17$  
D) $\sqrt{200}$  
E) $5 + 17$

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