
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 triangle $\triangle ABC$, the sides opposite angles $A$, $B$, and $C$ are $a$, $b$, $c$ respectively, and $b\cos A + a\cos B = 2c\cos A$.  
$(1)$ Find the value of angle $A$.  
$(2)$ Given that point $D$ lies on side $BC$ such that $BD = 3DC$ and $AD = 3$, find the maximum area of triangle $\triangle ABC$.

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