3(1+a^2+a^4) - (1+a+a^2)^2
= 3[(1+2a^2+a^4) - a^2] - (1+a+a^2)^2
=3[(1+a^2)^2 - a^2] - (1+a+a^2)^2
=3(1+a+a^2)(1+a^2-a) - (1+a+a^2)^2
=(1+a+a^2)(3+3a^2-3a-1-a-a^2)
=(1+a+a^2)(2-4a+2a^2)
=2(1+a+a^2)(a-1)^2
=2(a^3 - 1)(a-1)
1) a<1, 则a^3-1<0, a-1<0, 2(a^3-1)(a-1) > 0
2) a=1, 2(a^3-1)(a-1) = 0
3) a>1, 则a^3>1, 2(a^3-1)(a-1) > 0
综上, 2(a^3-1)(a-1) >= 0
3(1+a^2+a^4) >= (1+a+a^2)^2