Let f : N $$\to$$ R be a function such that $$f(x + y) = 2f(x)f(y)$$ for natural numbers x and y. If f(1) = 2, then the value of $$\alpha$$ for which

$$\sum\limits_{k = 1}^{10} {f(\alpha + k) = {{512} \over 3}({2^{20}} - 1)} $$

holds, is :

Let $$f:R \to R$$ and $$g:R \to R$$ be two functions defined by $$f(x) = {\log _e}({x^2} + 1) - {e^{ - x}} + 1$$ and $$g(x) = {{1 - 2{e^{2x}}} \over {{e^x}}}$$. Then, for which of the following range of $$\alpha$$, the inequality $$f\left( {g\left( {{{{{(\alpha - 1)}^2}} \over 3}} \right)} \right) > f\left( {g\left( {\alpha -{5 \over 3}} \right)} \right)$$ holds ?