TITLE: Checking the differentiability of the following function
QUESTION [6 upvotes]: Check the differentiability of the following function $$f(x)=(x+1)|x^2-1|$$ at points $x=1$ and $x=-1$. 

My approach
I have written the function in the following form:
$$f(x)=\begin{cases}
x^3-x+x^2-1 & \text{ if } x\leq-1,x\geq1 \\ 
x-x^3+1-x^2 & \text{ if } -1<x<1 
\end{cases}$$
Now, taking derivative:
$$f'(x)=\begin{cases}
3x^2-1+2x & \text{ if } x\leq-1,x\geq1 \\ 
1-3x^2-2x & \text{ if } -1<x<1 
\end{cases}$$
Clearly, the above derivative is continuous at $x=-1$ and discontinuous at $x=1$, hence function will be differentiable at $x=-1$ and $x=1$. 
Did I do everything correctly? I am not sure about this and answer has not been provided in the answer manual.

REPLY [3 votes]: Not differentiable at $x= 1:$
$f(x)=(x+1)|(x+1)(x-1)| = (x+1)^2 |x-1|$ 
for $x>0.$
Consider : $\dfrac{f(x)-f(1)}{x-1} =$
$\dfrac{(x+1)^2|x-1| }{x-1}.$
$\lim_{x \rightarrow 1^-} \dfrac{(x+1)^2(1-x)}{x-1}=-4.$
$\lim_{x \rightarrow 1^+} \dfrac{(x+1)^2(x-1)}{x-1}= 4.$
Not differentiable at $x=1.$