8x^4 - 12x^2 + 4x
= (4x)(2x^3 - 3x + 1)
By trial and error, you will see that when x = 1, 2x^3 - 3x + 1 will be 0.
Thus, (x - 1) is a factor of 2x^3 - 3x + 1.
By using long division with 2x^3 - 3x + 1 and x - 1, you will get 2x^2 + 2x - 1.
Hence, we have:
8x^4 - 12x^2 + 4x
= (4x)(2x^3 - 3x + 1)
= (4x)(x - 1)(2x^2 + 2x - 1)