Let $$\alpha$$ be a root of the equation $$(a - c){x^2} + (b - a)x + (c - b) = 0$$ where a, b, c are distinct real numbers such that the matrix $$\left[ {\matrix{ {{\alpha ^2}} & \alpha & 1 \cr 1 & 1 & 1 \cr a & b & c \cr } } \right]$$ is singular. Then, the value of $${{{{(a - c)}^2}} \over {(b - a)(c - b)}} + {{{{(b - a)}^2}} \over {(a - c)(c - b)}} + {{{{(c - b)}^2}} \over {(a - c)(b - a)}}$$ is

Which of the following matrices can NOT be obtained from the matrix $$\left[\begin{array}{cc}-1 & 2 \\ 1 & -1\end{array}\right]$$ by a single elementary row operation ?

If the system of equations

$$ \begin{aligned} &x+y+z=6 \\ &2 x+5 y+\alpha z=\beta \\ &x+2 y+3 z=14 \end{aligned} $$

has infinitely many solutions, then $$\alpha+\beta$$ is equal to

Let A and B be two $$3 \times 3$$ non-zero real matrices such that AB is a zero matrix. Then