To solve the factored quadratic equation \((x - 5)(x + 3) = 0\), we set each factor equal to zero:
- \(x - 5 = 0\)
- \(x + 3 = 0\)
Now, we solve for \(x\) in each case:
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From \(x - 5 = 0\): \[ x = 5 \]
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From \(x + 3 = 0\): \[ x = -3 \]
Thus, the solutions are \(x = 5\) and \(x = -3\).
The smaller solution is \(x = -3\), and the larger solution is \(x = 5\).