Question 1093274
<pre>
If you want to write {{{4^(x+1)=1/4}}} you must write

4^(x+1)=1/4, not 4^x+1=1/4, for that means {{{4^x+1=1/4}}}.

When you must type mathematics all on one line, you must
always enclose in parentheses what is understood to be
above or below the line if it contains more than one number 
or letter.

{{{4^(x+1)=1/4}}}

We write {{{1/4}}} as {{{4^(-1)}}}, then we have

{{{4^(x+1)=4^(-1)}}}

And we use the principle that the equation {{{B^A=B^C}}} is
equivalent to the equation {{{A=C}}} if the base B is positive
and different from 1.

Since the base 4 is positive and not equal to 1, the equation
is equivalent to

{{{x+1=-1}}}

So

{{{x=-2}}}

Checking in the original:

{{{4^(x+1)=1/4}}}

{{{4^(-2+1)=1/4}}}

{{{4^(-1)=1/4}}}

{{{1/4=1/4}}}

Edwin</pre>