\(x^4-x^3-2x-4\)
\(=x^4-x^3-2x^2+2x^2-2x-4\)
\(=x^2\left(x^2-x-2\right)+2\left(x^2-x-2\right)\)
\(=\left(x^2-x-2\right)\left(x^2+2\right)\)
\(=\left(x^2+x-2x-2\right)\left(x^2+2\right)\)
\(=\left[x\left(x+1\right)-2\left(x+1\right)\right]\left(x^2+2\right)\)
\(=\left(x-2\right)\left(x+1\right)\left(x^2+2\right)\)