How do you solve 2^2x + 2^x-12=0?

Question

the 2x and x are EXPONENTS

Answer 1

First let y = 2^x, we have:
y^2 + y - 12 = 0
The solutions of this quadratic can be solved easily to be:
y = 3 and -4
Since y = 2^x can never be negative unless x is complex, the root -4 is to be omitted.
2^x = 3
leads to solution: x = Ln 3 / Ln 2

Answer 2

2(2x) + 2(x) - 12 = 0
4x + 2x - 12 = 0
6x - 12 = 0
6x = 12
x = 12/6
x = 2