f(x) = 7^x
f(x + 3) = 7^(x + 3) and f(x + 1) = 7^(x + 1)
So
f(x + 3) - f(x + 1) = 7^(x + 3) - 7^(x + 1)
Remember that xa * xb = xa+b . So...
f(x + 3) - f(x + 1) = 7^x * 7^3 - 7^x * 7^1
= 7^x * 343 - 7^x * 7 Factor out a 7^x from both terms.
= 7^x * (343 - 7)
= 7^x * 336