To rewrite the quadratic equation [tex]\( y = -4x^2 + 2x - 7 \)[/tex] in the vertex form [tex]\( y = a(x-h)^2 + k \)[/tex], the first step is to factor out the term that accompanies [tex]\( x^2 \)[/tex] from the terms involving [tex]\( x \)[/tex].
In this case, the coefficient of [tex]\( x^2 \)[/tex] is -4. Therefore, you should factor out -4 from the terms involving [tex]\( x \)[/tex], which are [tex]\( -4x^2 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( 2x \)[/tex].
So, the correct first step is to factor -4 from [tex]\( -4x^2 + 2x \)[/tex].
Hence, the correct choice is:
-4 must be factored from [tex]\( -4x^2 + 2x \)[/tex].