Usually, such a problem statement means we can group the first two terms and the last two terms
x^3 + 8x^2 - 2x - 16
= x^2(x+8) - 2(x+8)
= (x^2-2)(x+8)
_____
If the constant 2 in the first factor were a square, then it could be further factored.
x^3 + 8x^2 - 2x - 16
= x^2(x+8) - 2(x+8)
= (x^2-2)(x+8)
_____
If the constant 2 in the first factor were a square, then it could be further factored.
