$\sqrt{a^2 - x^2}$: let $x = a\sin\theta$
$\sqrt{a^2 + x^2}$: let $x = a\tan\theta$
$\sqrt{x^2 - a^2}$: let $x = a\sec\theta$
📌 Key: After substitution, use Pythagorean identities to simplify. Always convert back to $x$.
✦ Quick Example
$\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{4-x^2}}$: Let $x = 2\sin\theta$, $dx = 2\cos\theta\,d\theta$
$= \int \frac{2\cos\theta}{2\cos\theta}\,d\theta = \theta + C = \arcsin\!\left(\tfrac{x}{2}\right) + C$