If x=1 and y=6 is a solution of the equation 8x-ay+a2=0, find the values of a.
Given, x=1 and y=6 is a solution of the equation 8x-ay+a2=0
⇒ 8 × 1 – a × 6 + a2 = 0
⇒ a2 – 6a + 8 = 0
⇒ a2 – 4a – 2a + 8 = 0
⇒ a(a – 4) – 2(a – 4) = 0
⇒ (a – 2)(a – 4) = 0
⇒ a = 2, 4