- Sketch the graph of $y=\sin(\cos x)$, where $x$ is in radians.
Here are some things to consider when sketching your graph:
It might help to start by sketching $y=\cos x$. What are the maximum and minimum values of $\cos x$?
Where does the graph cross the $y$ axis? (You don't have to find a numerical value!)
Can the graph cross the $x$ axis? If so, where?
Is the function even, odd or neither? A function is even if $f(-x)=f(x)$ and it is odd if $f(-x) = -f(x)$. An even function has reflection symmetry over the $y$ axis and an odd function has rotational symmetry about the origin.
The functions $\sin x$ and $\cos x$ are periodic with period $2 \pi$. What about $\sin(\cos x)$?
- Sketch the graph of $y=\cos(\sin x)$.
- Show that $\cos(\sin x) > \sin(\cos x)$ when $x=0, \pi$ and $\frac{\pi} 2$.
Can you also show that this is true when $x=\frac{\pi} 4$?
- Show that $\cos(\sin x) > \sin(\cos x)$ for all values of $x$.
Some possible methods for this last part are discussed in the Getting Started Section.