Is your problem x^2 - 20 = x? If so, then subtract x from both sides to get:
x^2 - x - 20 = 0. Factor. Find two numbers that when multiplied together = - 20 and when added equals - 1, the implied number in front of the middle term, x.
Try - 5 and + 4.
(x - 5)(x + 4) = 0. Set each binomial = 0 and solve for x.