Question

Can someone please tell me how to get the derivative of the square root of (1-x^2)

Answer 1

you have to use what is called the chain rule:
http://www.themathpage.com/acalc/chain.htm

Answer 2

yes, i know that much

Answer 3

see the link on how to solve your problem and post back if you have doubts.

Answer 4

i looked at it but i don't get how to apply the chain rule to the problem... that is my problem

Answer 5

You need to use the chain rule, which states that \[f(g(x)) = g \prime(x)*f \prime(g(x))\]. Setting f(x) = x^(1/2), and g(x) = 1-x^2, The formula yields \[-2x/\sqrt{1-x^2}\]. You may need to rationalize.

Answer 6

srossd is right. that is the answer you should get.