1. **Problem:** Simplify $x^4 x^{-2}$ with only positive exponents. 2. **Formula and rules:** When multiplying powers with the same base, add the exponents: $a^m \cdot a^n = a^{m+n}$. 3. **Apply the rule:** $$x^4 x^{-2} = x^{4 + (-2)} = x^{4 - 2} = x^2$$ 4. **Result:** The simplified expression with only positive exponents is $x^2$. This means when you multiply powers of the same base, you add their exponents, and negative exponents indicate division or reciprocal, so we rewrite to keep exponents positive.