a) Упростим выражение $$(6x - 1)(6x + 1) - (12x - 5)(3x + 1)$$:
$$(6x - 1)(6x + 1) - (12x - 5)(3x + 1) = (36x^2 - 1) - (36x^2 + 12x - 15x - 5) = 36x^2 - 1 - 36x^2 - 12x + 15x + 5 = 3x + 4$$Подставим $$x = 0.2$$:
$$3(0.2) + 4 = 0.6 + 4 = 4.6$$Ответ: 4.6
б) Упростим выражение $$(5 + 2x)^2 - 2.5x(8x + 7)$$:
$$(5 + 2x)^2 - 2.5x(8x + 7) = (25 + 20x + 4x^2) - (20x^2 + 17.5x) = 25 + 20x + 4x^2 - 20x^2 - 17.5x = -16x^2 + 2.5x + 25$$Подставим $$x = -0.5$$:
$$-16(-0.5)^2 + 2.5(-0.5) + 25 = -16(0.25) - 1.25 + 25 = -4 - 1.25 + 25 = -5.25 + 25 = 19.75$$Ответ: 19.75