Solving $\log _2(x-4) + \log _2(x+2) = 4$ Here is how I have worked it out so far:
$\log _2(x-4)+\log(x+2)=4$
$\log _2((x-4)(x+2)) = 4$
$(x-4)(x+2)=2^4$
$(x-4)(x+2)=16$
How do I proceed from here?
$x^2+2x-8 = 16$
$x^2+2x = 24$
$x(x+2) = 24$ Which I know is not the right answer
$x^2+2x-24 = 0$ Can't factor this

After $(x-4)(x+2)=16$, you get $x^2-2x-24=0$ (the coefficient of $x$ is $-2$ not $2$). So $x=\frac{2\pm \sqrt{100}}{2}$ by the quadratic formula. So $x=6$ or $x=-4$  
