d. \( x^{3}-2 x-4 \)

This polynomial equation is a cubic function, which means it can have up to three real roots. One interesting technique for finding these roots is using the Rational Root Theorem, which suggests testing potential rational solutions that are factors of the constant term (in this case, -4) divided by the leading coefficient (which is 1). So you might want to try values like ±1, ±2, and ±4 to see if any of them satisfy the equation. In real-world applications, cubic equations like this one can model various phenomena, such as the growth of populations or the volume of a container as dimensions change. For instance, if you were designing a box with a specific volume, determining the dimensions might lead you to solve a cubic equation similar in structure to \( x^{3}-2 x-4 \). So, the next time you're faced with a cubic equation, remember it could represent something tangible in the world around you!