Question

If $\left[\begin{array}{cc}xy& 4\\ z+6& x+y\end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{cc}8& w\\ 0& 6\end{array}\right]$, then find the values of x, y, z and w.

Answer 1

As the given matrices are equal, therefore, their corresponding elements must be equal. Comparing the corresponding elements, we get

xy = 8 4 = w
z + 6 = 0 x + y = 6

On simplifying, we get
x = 2, y = 4, z = −6, w = 4 or x = 4, y = 2, z = −6, w = 4

Hence, the values of x, y, z and w is 2, 4, −6, 4 or 4, 2, −6, 4.