Understanding simplification of an algebra problem I have the problem $x^3 - 2x^2$. My book tells me that this problem is simplified to $x^3 (1 -(\frac{2}{x}))$. How does that work?
This step of my book I am in about the "end behavior" of trying to graph a polynomial function. Apparently once you get $x^3 (1 -(\frac{2}{x}))$, its equivalent is just $x^3$.

This is only valid when $x \neq 0$.  It follows from the distributive rule.  If $x \neq 0$, then
\begin{align*}
x^3 \left(1 - \frac{2}{x} \right) &= x^3 \cdot 1 - x^3 \cdot \frac{2}{x} \quad \text{(by distributive rule)}\\
&= x^3 - 2x^2.
\end{align*}
As Cameron Buie explained nicely, $x^3$ and $x^3(1 - \frac{2}{x})$ are asymptotically equal as $|x| \to \infty$.
