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
Let $$\lambda \in \mathbb{R}$$ and let the equation E be $$|x{|^2} - 2|x| + |\lambda - 3| = 0$$. Then the largest element in the set S = {$$x+\lambda:x$$ is an integer solution of E} is ______
The shortest distance between the lines $${{x - 2} \over 3} = {{y + 1} \over 2} = {{z - 6} \over 2}$$ and $${{x - 6} \over 3} = {{1 - y} \over 2} = {{z + 8} \over 0}$$ is equal to ________
The 4$$^\mathrm{th}$$ term of GP is 500 and its common ratio is $$\frac{1}{m},m\in\mathbb{N}$$. Let $$\mathrm{S_n}$$ denote the sum of the first n terms of this GP. If $$\mathrm{S_6 > S_5 + 1}$$ and $$\mathrm{S_7 < S_6 + \frac{1}{2}}$$, then the number of possible values of m is ___________