If $$S$$ is the set of all real $$x$$ such that $${{2x - 1} \over {2{x^3} + 3{x^2} + x}}$$ is positive, then $$S$$ contains

If $$a,\,b$$ and $$c$$ are distinct positive numbers, then the expression
$$\left( {b + c - a} \right)\left( {c + a - b} \right)\left( {a + b - c} \right) - abc$$ is

For $$a \le 0,$$ determine all real roots of the equation $$${x^2} - 2a\left| {x - a} \right| - 3{a^2} = 0$$$

If the quadratic equations $${x^2} + ax + b = 0$$ and $${x^2} + bx + a = 0$$ $$(a \ne b)$$ have a common root, then the numerical value of a + b is..........................