Problem with basic integration review

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    Integration Review
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In a second-year Calculus class, a student expresses frustration over forgetting first-year integration techniques, particularly after discarding last year's notes. They struggle to recall methods for integrating specific functions, such as sqrt(x^2 + 1) and cos^4(x). Suggested approaches include using trigonometric substitution and applying trigonometric identities to simplify the integrals. For the first function, a substitution of x = tan(u) is recommended, while for the second, using cos^2(x) = (1 + cos(2x))/2 is advised. This highlights the importance of retaining study materials for future reference.
WhataRecch
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I'm in a second year Calculus class, and we're doing review from first year integration, and it's just unbelievable how easily this stuff leaves your memory. I shouldn't have thrown out last year's notes.

I can't for the life of me remember what techniques I'm suppose to use to integrate:

(((x^2) + 1)^(1/2))dx and (cos(x)^4)dx
 
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1) I'd try a trig sub, 2) Use some trig identities to simply it to lower orders of cosx
 
For the first use x=tan u for the second use cos^{2}x=(1+cos2x)/2 three times
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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