If \(y=\sin^{-1}x\), what is the correct domain of \(x\)?

Correct answer: \(x\in[-1,1]\)

\(\sin^{-1}x\) (arcsin) is defined only when \(x\) lies within the range of the sine function. For real \(y\), \(\sin y\) takes values only in \([-1,1]\); moreover on the principal branch \(y\in[-\tfrac{\pi}{2},\tfrac{\pi}{2}]\) the values \(\pm1\) also occur. Thus \(\sin^{-1}x\) is defined exactly for \(x\in[-1,1]\), so option A is correct. Option B is incorrect because it excludes the endpoints \(\pm1\), but \(\sin^{-1}(\pm1)=\pm\tfrac{\pi}{2}\) are valid. Options C and D are clearly wrong: C allows all real numbers (not possible), and D gives an angle interval, not valid values of \(x\). Exam tip: to find the domain of an inverse trig function, first recall the range of the original trig function (e.g., range(sin) = [-1,1]).