If a and b are real numbers such that
$${\left( {2 + \alpha } \right)^4} = a + b\alpha $$
where $$\alpha = {{ - 1 + i\sqrt 3 } \over 2}$$ then a + b is equal to :

Suppose the vectors x₁, x₂ and x₃ are the
solutions of the system of linear equations,
Ax = b when the vector b on the right side is equal to b₁, b₂ and b₃ respectively. if

$${x_1} = \left[ {\matrix{ 1 \cr 1 \cr 1 \cr } } \right]$$, $${x_2} = \left[ {\matrix{ 0 \cr 2 \cr 1 \cr } } \right]$$, $${x_3} = \left[ {\matrix{ 0 \cr 0 \cr 1 \cr } } \right]$$

$${b_1} = \left[ {\matrix{ 1 \cr 0 \cr 0 \cr } } \right]$$, $${b_2} = \left[ {\matrix{ 0 \cr 2 \cr 0 \cr } } \right]$$ and $${b_3} = \left[ {\matrix{ 0 \cr 0 \cr 2 \cr } } \right]$$,
then the determinant of A is equal to :

If $$\overrightarrow a = 2\widehat i + \widehat j + 2\widehat k$$, then the value of

$${\left| {\widehat i \times \left( {\overrightarrow a \times \widehat i} \right)} \right|^2} + {\left| {\widehat j \times \left( {\overrightarrow a \times \widehat j} \right)} \right|^2} + {\left| {\widehat k \times \left( {\overrightarrow a \times \widehat k} \right)} \right|^2}$$ is equal to____

Let PQ be a diameter of the circle x² + y² = 9. If $$\alpha $$ and $$\beta $$ are the lengths of the perpendiculars from P and Q on the straight line,
x + y = 2 respectively, then the maximum value of $$\alpha\beta $$ is _____.