a: \(=\left|x-4\right|-\left|x-2\right|\)
\(=\left|3\sqrt{2}-1-4\right|-\left|3\sqrt{2}-1-2\right|\)
\(=5-3\sqrt{2}-\left(3\sqrt{2}-3\right)=-6\sqrt{2}+8\)
b: \(=\left|\sqrt{x-1}+1\right|+\left|\sqrt{x-1}-1\right|\)
\(=\left|\sqrt{7}-1+1\right|+\left|\sqrt{7}-1-1\right|\)
\(=\sqrt{7}+4-\sqrt{7}=4\)