a)
\(f\left(x\right)=x^4-5x^2-x^3+7x^2+3x-8=x^4-x^3+2x^2+3x-8\\ g\left(x\right)=x^3-3x^2-x^4-3x-17+2x^2=-x^4+x^3-x^2-3x-17\\ f\left(x\right)+g\left(x\right)=x^2-25\)
b)
\(f\left(x\right)+g\left(x\right)=0\\ \Leftrightarrow x^2-25=0\Leftrightarrow x=\pm5\)