if x -1 is a factor of x⁴ - 5x² + 4
then x =1 must be a zero of the expression
meaning if you substitute x =1 in the expression it must equate to 0
thus
1⁴ - 5 .1² + 4 = 1 -5 + 4 = 0 is equal to 0
therefore x -1 is a factor x⁴ - 2x² + 4
x⁴ + 3x³ - 4x² + 2x -1 / substitute x = 2
16 + 24 - 16 + 4 - 1 = 27
therefore x -2 is not a factor of the above expression