Step 2: Rewrite the square root as an exponent: y = (4x^2 + 1)^(1/2).
Step 3: Use the chain rule to differentiate. The chain rule states that if you have a function of a function, you multiply the derivative of the outer function by the derivative of the inner function.
Step 4: Differentiate the outer function (1/2)(4x^2 + 1)^(-1/2) and keep the inner function (4x^2 + 1) the same.
Step 5: Now differentiate the inner function 4x^2 + 1, which gives you 8x.
Step 6: Combine the results from Step 4 and Step 5: dy/dx = (1/2)(4x^2 + 1)^(-1/2) * 8x.
Step 7: Simplify the expression: dy/dx = (4x)/(sqrt(4x^2 + 1)).
