a) A = (x - 3)(x² + 3x + 9) - (x³ + 3)
= x³ - 3³ - x³ - 3
= (x³ - x³) + (-27 - 3)
= -30
b) B = (2x + 1)(4x² - 2x + 1) - 8(x + 1/2)(x² - 1/2 x + 1/4)
= (2x)³ + 1³ - 8[x³ + (1/2)³]
= 8x³ + 1 - 8(x³ + 1/8)
= 8x³ + 1 - 8x³ - 1
= (8x³ - 8x³) + (1 - 1)
= 0