How do I Factor the expression

Question

a y - a^{6} y^{6} ?

Answer 1

ay - a^6 y^6
= ay(1 - a^5 y^5)

Much Ado About Nothing, as Shakespeare would say.

Answer 2

I guess you could go on and make it

ay(1-ay)(1+(ay)+(ay)^2+(ay)^3+(ay)^4)

Not sure that's much better ...