# Math Help - Exponential Functions

1. ## Exponential Functions

"Solve the equation: 16^n < 8^n+1"

So far, I got this:

(2^4)^n < (2^3)^n+1 --------- rewrote with a base of two
4n < 3(n+1) ------------------ property of equality for exponential functions
4n < 3n+3 ---------- as far as I could get

The solution in the text is n < 3, but I don't understand how this could be? I've tried dividing the left and right side by 4, but that would cause me to end up in error with n > 3/4n+3/4.

Thanks in advance.

2. Originally Posted by Mulya66
"Solve the equation: 16^n < 8^n+1"

So far, I got this:

(2^4)^n < (2^3)^n+1 --------- rewrote with a base of two
4n < 3(n+1) ------------------ property of equality for exponential functions
4n < 3n+3 ---------- as far as I could get

The solution in the text is n < 3, but I don't understand how this could be? I've tried dividing the left and right side by 4, but that would cause me to end up in error with n > 3/4n+3/4.

Thanks in advance.
just subtract 3n from both sides of the inequality

3. ...I thought there was a rule of some sort? That way, I may apply the rule to similar problems. I suppose I'm making it more complicated than it seems...

4. Originally Posted by Mulya66
...I thought there was a rule of some sort? That way, I may apply the rule to similar problems. I suppose I'm making it more complicated than it seems...
you treat inequalities just like equal signs except in two cases.

you turn them the other way if:
1) you multiply through by a negative number
2) you take the inverse of both sides of the inequality