
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
Given the function $f(x) = \sqrt{3}\sin x\cos x - \cos^2 x$, where $x \in \mathbb{R}$.

(1) Express the function in the form of $f(x) = A\sin(\omega x + \phi) + b$.

(2) Find the maximum value of the function and the corresponding value of $x$.

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