
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 $f(x) = 3\sin(2x + \frac{\pi}{4}) - 1$.
1. How is the graph of $f(x)$ obtained by transforming the graph of $y = \sin x$?
2. Find the smallest positive period of $f(x)$, the equation of the axis of symmetry of the graph, the maximum value, and the corresponding value of $x$.

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