Answer:
(a)9
(b)No, 9 is not equal to 3.
Step-by-step explanation:
Part A
Given the expression:

We can write it in an alternate form as:

The value of the expression is 9.
Part B
Given the expression:

This is simplified below:

The value of this expression is NOT EQUIVALENT to the expression in Part A since 9 is not equal to 3.