a) (x - 3)3 - (x - 3)(x2 + 3x + 9) + 9(x + 1)2 = 15
=> (x3 - 9x2 + 27x - 27) - (x3 - 27) + 9(x2 + 2x + 1) = 1
=> x3 - 9x2 + 27x - 27 - x3 + 27 + 9x2 + 18x + 9 = 15
=> 45x + 9 = 15
=> 45x = 15 - 9 = 6
=> x = $\frac{6}{45}$
=> x = $\frac{2}{15}$
b) $x\left(x-5\right)\left(x+5\right)-\left(x-2\right)\left(x^2+2x+4\right)=-17$
$\Rightarrow x\left(x^2-25\right)-\left(x^3-8\right)=-17$
$\Rightarrow x^3-25x-x^3+8=-17$
=> -25x = -17 - 8 = -25
=> x = -25 : (-25) = 1