In other words, the whole problem was a trig substitution where we had to

substitute (something like) x=3tan(t), and use use an identity to simplify sqrt(9x^2) in the denominator and something else, blah blah. We resolved all the
integrals, but were left with integral cos^2(t). At the end, the teacher wants them to
unsubstitute by using tan(t)=x/3 and labeling the triangle's sides and figuring out
how to "unsubstitute" (return to an equation in variable x). But the first trig identity
leaves us with a cos(2t), and we do not see a way "unsubstitute" a trig function(2t)
when all we have is tan(t)=x/3. I insisted on integration by parts because I wanted
to keep the trig functions in t, rather than 2t.