The first step is to find out the value of x for which your bracket/value you think is a factor equals 0. So, x – 2 = 0, therefore x = 2. Now plug in this value into your original equation and if the result is 0, your bracket is a factor. So f(2) = 2(2^3) – 7 (2^2) +4(2) +4 = (28) – (74) + 8 + 4 = 16 – 28 + 12 = 0. Therefore (x-2) is a factor.