a) (x+4)(x2 - 4x + 16 ) - x(x-5) = 264
x3 + 43 - x(x2 - 25) = 264
x3 + 64 - x3 + 25x= 264
64 + 25x = 264
25x = 264-64
25x= 200
x = \(\dfrac{200}{25}\) = 8
b) (x-2)3 - (x-2)(x2 + 2x + 4 ) + 6(x-2)(x+2) = 60
x3 - 6x2 + 12x - 8 - ( x3 - 23 ) + 6(x2 - 4 ) = 60
x3 - 6x2 + 12x - 8 - x3 + 8 + 6x2 -24 = 60
12x - 24 = 60
12x = 60 + 24
12x = 84
x = \(\dfrac{84}{12}\) = 7