If $$\alpha \,\text{and}\,\beta $$ $$(\alpha \, < \,\beta )$$ are the roots of the equation $${x^2} + bx + c = 0\,$$, where $$c < 0 < b$$, then

For $$2 \le r \le n,\,\,\,\,\left( {\matrix{ n \cr r \cr } } \right) + 2\left( {\matrix{ n \cr {r - 1} \cr } } \right) + \left( {\matrix{ n \cr {r - 2} \cr } } \right) = $$

How many different nine digit numbers can be formed from the number 223355888 by rearranging its digits so that the odd digits occupy even positions?

Consider an infinite geometric series with first term a and common ratio $$r$$. If its sum is 4 and the second term is 3/4, then