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

It is $x^2-2x-8 = 16$ my friend. So you get $x^2 - 2x -24 = 0$, which factors as $(x-6)(x+4) = 0$. Hence, $x=6$ or $x = -4$.
