
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
The hares are sawing a log again, but this time both ends of the log are fixed. Ten intermediate pieces have fallen, while two end pieces remain fixed. How many cuts did the hares make?

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