Question 77221
{{{x^3 - 4x^2 + 2x -8}}}

{{{(x^3 - 4x^2) + (2x -8)}}} Group terms where a factor can be drawn out

{{{x^2(x - 4) + (2x -8)}}} Factor out {{{x^2}}} out of the first group

We want the 2nd parenthesis to have (x-4) inside it, so to do that we ask ourselves:  how do we go from 2x to x and how do we go from -8 to -4?

{{{x^2(x - 4) + 2(x -4)}}} We can do that by factoring out a 2

{{{(x^2+2)(x - 4)}}} Now we can combine like terms. This is the simplified factorization since {{{x^2+2}}} cannot be factored further