a) ( x - 3 )3 - ( x - 3 )( x2 + 3x + 9 ) + 9( x + 1 )2 = 4
<=> x3 - 9x2 + 27x - 27 - ( x3 - 27 ) + 9( x2 + 2x + 1 ) = 4
<=> x3 - 9x2 + 27x - 27 - x3 + 27 + 9x2 + 18x + 9 = 4
<=> 45x + 9 = 4
<=> 45x = -5
<=> x = -5/45 = -1/9
b) x( x - 5 )( x + 5 ) - ( x + 2 )( x2 - 2x + 4 ) = 17
<=> x( x2 - 25 ) - ( x3 + 8 ) = 17
<=> x3 - 25x - x3 - 8 = 17
<=> -25x - 8 = 17
<=> -25x = 25
<=> x = -1