Factor Expression 73B2E3

1. **State the problem:** Factor the expression $$x^3 - 5x$$. 2. **Recall the factoring rule:** For expressions with a common factor, factor it out. Here, both terms have a common factor of $$x$$. 3. **Factor out the common factor:** $$x^3 - 5x = x(x^2) - x(5) = x(x^2 - 5)$$ 4. **Check other options:** - $$x^2(x - 5)$$ is incorrect because factoring out $$x^2$$ leaves $$x - 5$$, which does not match the original expression. - $$(x - 5)(x^2 - x)$$ and $$(x - 5)(x^2 + 1)$$ do not expand to $$x^3 - 5x$$. 5. **Final answer:** $$x(x^2 - 5)$$