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Derivative of arcsin of a composite expression

Let h(x)=arcsin⁡(x2−1)h(x) = \arcsin(x^2 - 1). Find h′(x)h'(x).

Hint

Use the chain rule with outer function arcsin⁡(u)\arcsin(u), whose derivative is 11−u2\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-u^2}}, and inner function u=x2−1u = x^2 - 1. Multiply by the derivative of the inner function.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the outer function as f(u)=arcsin⁡(u)f(u) = \arcsin(u) with f′(u)=11−u2f'(u) = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-u^2}}, and the inner function as g(x)=x2−1g(x) = x^2 - 1 with g′(x)=2xg'(x) = 2x. By the chain rule, h′(x)=f′(g(x))⋅g′(x)h'(x) = f'(g(x)) \cdot g'(x).

Substituting u=x2−1u = x^2 - 1 gives h′(x)=11−(x2−1)2⋅2xh'(x) = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-(x^2-1)^2}} \cdot 2x. This simplifies to h′(x)=2x1−(x2−1)2h'(x) = \dfrac{2x}{\sqrt{1-(x^2-1)^2}}, which can also be written as 2x2x2−x4\dfrac{2x}{\sqrt{2x^2 - x^4}}.

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