Given the following polynomial equation $${s^3} + 5.5{s^2} + 8.5s + 3 = 0$$ the number of roots of the polynomial which have real parts strictly less than $$-1$$ is _____________.

The following discrete-time equations result from the numerical integration of the differential equations of an un-damped simple harmonic oscillator with state variables $$𝑥$$ and $$𝑦.$$ The integration time step is $$h.$$ $$${{{x_{k + 1}} - {x_k}} \over h} = {y_k},\,\,\,\,\,{{{y_{k + 1}} - {y_k}} \over h} = {x_k}$$$

For this discrete-time system, which one of the following statements is TRUE?

A system with the open loop transfer function $$G\left( s \right) = {K \over {s\left( {s + 2} \right)\left( {{s^2} + 2s + 2} \right)}}$$ is connected in a negative feedback configuration with a feedback gain of unity. For the closed loop system to be marginally stable, the value of $$K$$ is ________.

For the given system, it is desired that the system be stable. The minimum value of $$\alpha $$ for this condition is _________