If 'R' is the least value of 'a' such that the function f(x) = x² + ax + 1 is increasing on [1, 2] and 'S' is the greatest value of 'a' such that the function f(x) = x² + ax + 1 is decreasing on [1, 2], then
the value of |R $$-$$ S| is ___________.

The number of distinct real roots of the equation 3x⁴ + 4x³ $$-$$ 12x² + 4 = 0 is _____________.

A wire of length 36 m is cut into two pieces, one of the pieces is bent to form a square and the other is bent to form a circle. If the sum of the areas of the two figures is minimum, and the circumference of the circle is k (meter), then $$\left( {{4 \over \pi } + 1} \right)k$$ is equal to _____________.

Let f : [$$-$$1, 1] $$ \to $$ R be defined as f(x) = ax² + bx + c for all x$$\in$$[$$-$$1, 1], where a, b, c$$\in$$R such that f($$-$$1) = 2, f'($$-$$1) = 1 for x$$\in$$($$-$$1, 1) the maximum value of f ''(x) is $${{1 \over 2}}$$. If f(x) $$ \le $$ $$\alpha$$, x$$\in$$[$$-$$1, 1], then the least value of $$\alpha$$ is equal to _________.