Question 44990
<pre><font size = 5><b>Factor out the variable that is raised 
to the smaller exponent 

-5x<sup>-2</sup> + x<sup>2</sup>

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When you factor x<sup>p</sup> out of

ax<sup>p</sup> + bx<sup>q</sup> 

you get

x<sup>p</sup>(a + bx<sup>q-p</sup>)

So when you factor x<sup>-2</sup> out of

-5x<sup>-2</sup> + x<sup>2</sup> 

you get

x<sup>-2</sup>(-5 + x<sup>2-(-2)</sup>)

Then you simplify a bit

x<sup>-2</sup>(-5 + x<sup>2+2</sup>)

x<sup>-2</sup>(-5 + x<sup>4</sup>)

x<sup>-2</sup>(x<sup>4</sup> - 5)

Edwin</pre>