< 1 

Subtract 1 from both sides:

 - 1 < 0

 -  < 0

Get an LCD of (x+4) and multiply the  by  < 0

 - · < 0

 -  < 0

Combine the numerators over the LCD:

 < 0

 < 0

 < 0

To find the critical number, set x+4 = 0, getting x = -4

Since there is only one critical number we have only two
intervals to test:

Interval          | (-oo,-4)  |  (-4, oo) |
Test value        |    -5     |      0    |
Sign of left side |           |           |

The left side is  

We substitute test value -5 in 
 = 9 which is positive so we put a +

Interval          | (-∞,-4)  |  (-4, ∞) |
Test value        |    -5    |      0   |
Sign of left side |     +    |          |

We substitute test value 0 in 
 =  which is negative so we put a -

Interval          | (-∞,-4)  |  (-4, ∞) |
Test value        |    -5    |      0   |
Sign of left side |     +    |      -   |

Since it's < 0 we choose the interval (-4, ∞) as the solution

Edwin