Binomial Theorem question bank (Maths)

If $26\left(\dfrac{2^3}{3}\binom{12}{2} + \dfrac{2^5}{5}\binom{12}{4} + \dfrac{2^7}{7}\binom{12}{6} + \ldots + \dfrac{2^{13}}{13}\binom{12}{12}\right) = 3^{13} - \alpha$, then $\alpha$ is equal to:

If the coefficients of the middle terms in the binomial expansions of $(1 + \alpha x)^{26}$ and $(1 - \alpha x)^{28}$, $\alpha \neq 0$, are equal, then the value of $\alpha$ is: