questions are below?

Question

16^n=8^n+1

2^2n=1/16

What is the first step to solving any exponential equation?

Answer 1

16^n=8^n+1
or,(2^4)^n=(2^3)^n+1
or,2^4n=2^3n+3
or,4n=3n+3
or,4n-3n=3
or,n=3 ans
2^2n=1/16
or,2^2n=1/2^4
or.2^2n=2^-4
or,2n= -4
or,n= -2 ans

Answer 2

16^n=8^(n+1)
2^4n = 2^3n+3
4n = 3n+3
n= 3

2^2n=1/16
2^2n = 2^-4
2n = -4
n = -2