Solution: Expand $ (\tan x + \cot x)^2 = \tan^2 x + 2 \tan x \cot x + \cot^2 x $. Simplify using $ \tan x \cot x = 1 $: $ \tan^2 x + 2 + \cot^2 x $. Use identity $ \tan^2 x + \cot^2 x = (\tan x - \cot x)^2 + 2 $, so expression becomes $ (\tan x - \cot x)^2 + 4 $. The minimum occurs when $ \tan x = \cot x $, i.e., $ x = \frac\pi4 + k\frac\pi2 $, giving $ 0 + 4 = 4 $. \boxed4 - Veritas Home Health