Instead of using logarithmic to find x, Notice that 27, 9 and 81 are the perfect powers of 3. Since 27 = 3³, 9 = 3², and 81 = 3⁴, so
(3³⁽⁻ˣ⁺³⁾) (3²⁽ˣ⁺¹⁾) = 3⁴ 3³⁽⁻ˣ⁺³⁾⁺²⁽ˣ⁺¹⁾ = 3⁴
If the bases are the same, then cancel it and bring the power as a new base. 3(-x+3) + 2(x+1) = 4 -3x + 9 + 2x + 2 = 4 -x + 11 = 4 -x = 4 - 11 -x = -7 x = 7
