a, (x-3)(x^2+3x+9) + x(4-x^2) = 5.
=> x^3 - 27 + 4x - x^3 = 5
=> 4x - 27 =5
=> 4x = 32 => x= 8
b, ( x+1)^3 - ( x-1 )^3 - 6 (x-1)^2 = -10
=> ( x+1 - x +1 ) [ ( x+1)^2 + (x+1)(x-1) + (x-1)^2 ] - 6(x-1)^2 = -10
=> 2 [ x^2 + 2x +1 + x^2 -1 + x^2 - 2x +1 ] -6(x-1)^2 = -10
=> 2 [ 3x^2 +1] -6( x^2 -2x +1) = -10
=> 6x^2 +2 - 6x^2 +12x -6 =-10
=>12x -4 = -10
=> 12x = -6
=> x= -1/2