解:
(1) 对于方程$x^2 - 5x - 14 = 0,$分解因式得$(x + 2)(x - 7)=0,$
则$x + 2 = 0$或$x - 7 = 0,$
当$x + 2 = 0$时,解得$x_1=-2;$
当$x - 7 = 0$时,解得$x_2 = 7。$
(2) 对于方程$2x^2 + x - 6 = 0,$分解因式得$(2x - 3)(x + 2)=0,$
则$2x - 3 = 0$或$x + 2 = 0,$
当$2x - 3 = 0$时,$2x=3,$解得$x_1=\frac{3}{2};$
当$x + 2 = 0$时,解得$x_2=-2。$
(3) 对于方程$4x^2 - 8x - 5 = 0,$分解因式得$(2x - 5)(2x + 1)=0,$
则$2x - 5 = 0$或$2x + 1 = 0,$
当$2x - 5 = 0$时,$2x=5,$解得$x_1=\frac{5}{2};$
当$2x + 1 = 0$时,$2x=-1,$解得$x_2=-\frac{1}{2}。$