a) 4x2 - 20x + 25 - 36y2
= (2x - 5)2 - 36y2
= (2x - 5 - 6y)(2x - 5 + 6y)
b) x3 + x2 - 2x - 8
= (x3 - 8) + (x2 - 2x)
= (x - 2)(x2 + 2x + 4) + x(x - 2)
= (x - 2)(x2 + 2x + 4 + x)
= (x - 2)(x2 + 3x + 4)
d) x4 + 6x3 + 9x2 - 16
= x2(x2 + 6x + 9) - 16
= x2(x + 3)2 - 16
= (x2 + 3x)2 - 16
= (x2 + 3x - 4)(x2 + 3x + 4)
= (x2 + 4x - x - 4)(x2 + 3x + 4)
= [x(x + 4) - (x + 4)](x2 + 3x + 4)
= (x - 1)(x + 4)(x2 + 3x + 4)