Let M and m be respectively the absolute maximum and the absolute minimum values of the function, f(x) = 2x³ - x² + 12x + 5 in the interval [0, 3]. Then M - m is equal to.

f(x) = 2x³ - x² + 12x + 5
f'(x) = 6x² - 2x + 12 = 0
⟹ x² - x + 2 = 0
The discriminant is 1 - 4(2) = -7 < 0. Thus there are no critical points within the real numbers.

Thus, we need to check the values of the function at x = 0 and x = 3
f(0) = 5
Also, f(3) = 2(3)³ - (3)² + 12(3) + 5 = 54 - 9 + 36 + 5 = 86
f'(x) = 6x² - 2x + 12
f''(x) = 12x - 2
f''(0) = -2 < 0, so f(0) is a local maximum
f''(3) = 34 > 0, so f(3) is a local minimum
However, since there are no critical points, the maximum and minimum must occur at the endpoints of the interval [0,3].

Therefore, M = 86 and m = 5
Thus M - m = 86 - 5 = 81