All real $x$ satisfying $\sin^{-1}(x) + \sin^{-1}(1-x) = \cos^{-1}(x)$ are
A$0$ or $1$
B$0$ only
C$0$ or $\tfrac{1}{2}$
D$\tfrac{1}{2}$ only
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. $0$ or $\tfrac{1}{2}$
Use $\cos^{-1}(x) = \tfrac{\pi}{2} - \sin^{-1}(x)$: equation becomes $\sin^{-1}(x) + \sin^{-1}(1-x) = \tfrac{\pi}{2} - \sin^{-1}(x)$
so $\sin^{-1}(1-x) = \tfrac{\pi}{2} - 2\sin^{-1}(x)$.
**Take sine of both sides:** $1 - x = \sin\left(\tfrac{\pi}{2} - 2\sin^{-1}(x)\right) = \cos(2\sin^{-1}(x)) = 1 - 2x^2$.
Therefore $1 - x = 1 - 2x^2 \Rightarrow 2x^2 - x = 0 \Rightarrow x(2x - 1) = 0$, giving $x = 0$ or $x = \tfrac{1}{2}$.
Both satisfy the domain constraints $|x| \le 1$ and $|1-x| \le 1$, and both check in the original equation.
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