a: \(x^4-2x^3+x^2-2x\)
\(=\left(x^4-2x^3\right)+\left(x^2-2x\right)\)
\(=x^3\left(x-2\right)+x\left(x-2\right)\)
\(=x\left(x-2\right)\left(x^2+1\right)\)
b: \(x^4+x^3-8x-8\)
\(=\left(x^4+x^3\right)-\left(8x+8\right)\)
\(=x^3\left(x+1\right)-8\left(x+1\right)\)
\(=\left(x+1\right)\left(x^3-8\right)\)
\(=\left(x+1\right)\left(x-2\right)\left(x^2+2x+4\right)\)