Answer:
To simplify the expression \( \frac{-1}{x^2} + \frac{1}{x} \), follow these steps:
1. Find a Common Denominator
The common denominator for the terms \(\frac{-1}{x^2}\) and \(\frac{1}{x}\) is \(x^2\).
2. Rewrite Each Term with the Common Denominator
- For \(\frac{-1}{x^2}\), the denominator is already \(x^2\), so it remains \(\frac{-1}{x^2}\).
- For \(\frac{1}{x}\), rewrite it with \(x^2\) as the denominator:
\[
\frac{1}{x} = \frac{1 \cdot x}{x \cdot x} = \frac{x}{x^2}
\]
3. Combine the Terms
Now that both terms have the same denominator, combine them:
\[
\frac{-1}{x^2} + \frac{x}{x^2} = \frac{-1 + x}{x^2}
\]
Simplified Expression
The simplified expression is:
\[
\frac{x - 1}{x^2}
\]
