On the graph of $f(x)=i^x$ being sinusoidal: reasons, related ideas, and relevant literature Today I was thinking about imaginary numbers and hypothesized the graph of $i^x$ would be sinusoidal based on the simple exponent rules of i. I think this can be explained with logarithms, which I've never studied in depth so cannot be sure. 
I tried graphing real and imaginary parts of $i^x$ with sympy (a python symbolic maths package) and did end up with this sinusoidal curve. 
I'm wondering if someone here can comment on this curve - if there is some formula involving a trigonometric function that is equal to $i^x$, how one would find the derivative of $i^x$, and any other related ideas. Also, links to relevant literature would also be great. 

Update: I was encouraged to define $Re(i^x)$ which would make the answer clear to me. 
$$\operatorname{Re}(i^x)=\operatorname{sign}(i^x)^x$$
Additionally, according to sympy, $\frac{d}{dx}[i^x]=\frac{i \pi}{2} i^{x}$. This just leads to more questions. 
Where can I read more about these issues?
While I invite all criticism, please take into account that I'm in 10th grade and haven't any serious formal math schooling and so am prone to make beginners mistakes. Asking these questions is my attempt to simulate the rigorous education in math I hope to receive in college
 A: $$
\begin{array}{c|r}
x & i^x \\
\hline
0 & 1 \\
1 & i \\
2 & -1 \\
3 & -i \\
4 & 1 \\
5 & i \\
6 & -1 \\
7 & -i \\
8 & 1 \\
\vdots & \vdots
\end{array}
$$
It goes around in circles.  If you want a well-behaved function extending this to $x\in\mathbb R$, you just need something that goes around in circles at that same rate, thus
$$
x\mapsto \cos\left(\frac \pi 2 x\right) + i \sin\left( \frac \pi 2 x \right) = e^{i(\pi/2)x} = e^{i\pi x/2}.
$$
A: As the commentators have noted, a (probably better) way of writing the function you are interested in is $$f(x)=e^{\pi ix/2},$$ which should make sense if we know $i=e^{\pi i/2}$ and apply properties of exponents. It is likely that your calculator has interpreted $i^x$ in this way for you in making your graphs. 
The reason for the observation that $i=e^{\pi i/2}$ is the same one that will show that your graphs are in fact $\sin$ and $\cos$ functions. We have Euler's Formula, 
$$e^{ix}=\cos x+i\sin x,$$
which holds in particular for real $x$. Thus $\Re [f(x)]=\cos(\frac {\pi x}{2})$. As is often the case, the relevant Wikipedia article is a great introduction and even a couple of good proofs. Knowing a little calculus will be helpful...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euler%27s_formula
It should be noted that the equation above is one of great beauty and not necessarily obvious; I consider its discovery to have been a great accomplishment. Happy mathing 
