The mathematical pun here is absolutely brilliant! When the first guy asks to be evaluated with the integral ∫(1/x⁵)dx, he gets a sweet response because this integral equals -1/(4x⁴), which simplifies to a nice clean answer.
But the second poor soul presents ∫(1/(x⁵+1))dx - a nightmare integral with no elementary function solution! It requires special functions or numerical methods to solve, so naturally HR gets called. Even calculators would break a sweat on that one!
The perfect metaphor for dating vs job interviews: sometimes adding just a "+1" to your equation makes life exponentially more complicated!