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Chain rule with cosecant of a reciprocal function

Let g(x)=csc⁡(1x)g(x) = \csc\left(\dfrac{1}{x}\right). Find g′(x)g'(x).

Hint

Treat g(x)g(x) as a composite function with outer function csc⁡(u)\csc(u) and inner function u=1xu = \dfrac{1}{x}. Recall that ddu[csc⁡u]=−csc⁡ucot⁡u\dfrac{d}{du}[\csc u] = -\csc u \cot u, and differentiate 1x=x−1\dfrac{1}{x} = x^{-1} using the power rule.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the outer function as f(u)=csc⁡uf(u) = \csc u and the inner function as u=g(x)=1x=x−1u = g(x) = \dfrac{1}{x} = x^{-1}. Since f′(u)=−csc⁡ucot⁡uf'(u) = -\csc u \cot u, the chain rule gives ddx[csc⁡(u)]=−csc⁡(u)cot⁡(u)⋅u′\dfrac{d}{dx}\left[\csc(u)\right] = -\csc(u)\cot(u) \cdot u'.

Now differentiate the inner function: u′=ddx[x−1]=−x−2=−1x2u' = \dfrac{d}{dx}\left[x^{-1}\right] = -x^{-2} = -\dfrac{1}{x^2}. Substituting back, g′(x)=−csc⁡(1x)cot⁡(1x)⋅(−1x2)=1x2csc⁡(1x)cot⁡(1x)g'(x) = -\csc\left(\dfrac{1}{x}\right)\cot\left(\dfrac{1}{x}\right) \cdot \left(-\dfrac{1}{x^2}\right) = \dfrac{1}{x^2}\csc\left(\dfrac{1}{x}\right)\cot\left(\dfrac{1}{x}\right).

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