\[x^{2} - 8x - 9 =\]
\[= x^{2} - 8x + 16 - 25 =\]
\[= (x - 4)^{2} - 25 =\]
\[= (x - 4 - 5)(x - 4 + 5) =\]
\[= (x - 9)(x + 1)\text{.\ \ }\]