If P = \(\begin {pmatrix} 2 & 3\\ -4 & 1 \end {pmatrix}\), Q = \(\begin{pmatrix} 6 \\ 8 \end {pmatrix}\) and PQ = k \(\begin {pmatrix} 45\\ -20 \end {pmatri...

Given matrices are: $$P = \begin {pmatrix} 2 & 3\\ -4 & 1 \end {pmatrix}, \quad Q = \begin{pmatrix} 6 \\ 8 \end {pmatrix}, \quad PQ = k \begin {pmatrix} 45\\-20 \end {pmatrix}$$ We know that for two matrices to be multiplied, the number of columns of the first matrix should be equal to the number of rows of the second matrix. In this case, the number of columns of $P$ is 2 and the number of rows of $Q$ is 2, so we can multiply them. $$PQ = \begin {pmatrix} 2 & 3\\ -4 & 1 \end {pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} 6 \\ 8 \end {pmatrix} = \begin {pmatrix} 2(6)+3(8)\\-4(6)+1(8) \end {pmatrix} = \begin {pmatrix} 45\\-20 \end {pmatrix}$$ Comparing the above equation with the given equation, we get: $$k = \frac{\text{corresponding elements in } PQ}{\text{corresponding elements in } \begin {pmatrix} 45\\-20 \end {pmatrix}} = \frac{-20}{45} = -\frac{4}{9}$$ Therefore, the value of $k$ is -\(\frac{4}{5}\). ()