<s>[INST] How to simplify arc length problems: expressions under the root I am having trouble during my studies of arc length by integration in Calculus. 
Arc Length formula: $\int\sqrt{1+('y)^2}dx$
My problem values:
$y=\frac{1}{10}x^5+\frac{1}{6}x^-3$
$y'=\frac{5}{10}x^5+(-\frac{3}{6}x^{-4})$ = $\frac{1}{2}x^4-\frac{1}{2}x^-4$ = $\frac{1}{2}(x^4-x^{-4})$
$1+('y)^2=1+(\frac{1}{2}(x^4-x^{-4})^2$
My question is: How does $1+(\frac{1}{2}(x^4-x^{-4})^2$ become $(\frac{1}{2}(x^4+x^{-4})^2$ as seen in the solution?
Is this an obvious algebra step that I am missing? I understand that the soln completes the square, does addition, and achieves sign change, but I don't understand the motive or method. The steps in question can be seen in the linked solution at the bottom of this post. Thank you.
Link to solution
 [/INST] $$\begin {align}1+\frac12\left(x^4-x^{-4}\right)^2&=1+\frac12\left(x^8-2\cdot x^4 \cdot x^{-4}+x^{-8}\right)\\&=1+\frac12(x^8-2+x^{-8})\\ 
&=-1+\frac12(x^8+2+x^{-8})\\
&=-1+\frac12\left(x^4+x^{-4}\right)^2\end {align}$$
Your expression is missing the $-1$ out front.
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