Answer:
(x + 1)(x - 2)(x + 2)
Explanation:
given
x³ + x² - 4x - 4 ( factor the first/second and third/fourth terms )
= x²(x + 1) - 4(x + 1) ← factor out (x + 1) from each term
= (x + 1)(x² - 4)
x² - 4 is a difference of squares and factors as
x² - 2²
= (x - 2)(x + 2)
Then
x³ + x² - 4x - 4 = (x + 1)(x - 2)(x + 2)