Exponential Equation - A Simple Way to Solve | 2^(x+1) + 2^(3-x) = 17 |

[@Limited_Light]

A professor posting from his personal account here.
I think your approach is a better verification than what I did.
17 = 16 + 1 = 2^4 + 0.
So, (1) x + 1 = 4 and 3 - x = 0
or
(2) 3 - x = 4 and x + 1 = 0.
(1) Both yield x = 3.
(2) Both yield x = -1.