[Math] Why is $\sin(x^3)$ odd

algebra-precalculusfunctionstrigonometry

So I know this is probably a really obvious question, but I'm a bit unclear on this. Why is $\sin(x^3)$ odd?

Is it because you can substitute $u = x^3$ and then $\sin(x^3)=\sin(u)$

Then you can say $\sin(-u) = -\sin(u)$?

The part about this that seems weird to me is that I don't understand why rules for $\sin(x)$ should work for $\sin(f(x))$. If someone can please explain to me what is going on that would be really helpful. Thanks.

Best Answer

Pure definition:

A function $f$ is odd if $f(-x) = - f(x)$ for all $x$.

So $\sin((-x)^3) = \sin(-x^3) = - \sin (x^3)$.

So it is odd.

.......

One thing to note, is that if $f$ is odd, and $g$ is also odd then $f\circ g$ is odd because:

$f(g(-x) = f(-g(x)) = -f(g(x))$.

And $x^3$ is odd because $(-x)^3 = (-1*x)^3 = (-1)^3x^3 = (-1)*x^3 = -x^3$

An $\sin x$ is odd because .... well, it's a basic trigonometric identity that $\sin (-x) = -\sin (x)$. Just draw a picture. The $y$ value of a point of a circle at an angle will be the negative of the $y$ value of the angle in the opposite direction.

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Is it because you can substitute $u=x^3$ and then $sin(x^3)=sin(u)$ Then you can say $sin(−u)=−sin(u)$?

Only if you can also say that $-u = (-x)^3$.

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