$\begingroup$

Write $a_n = f(n)$ instead.

Step 1

You can note that $$a_{n+1}-4a_n = 3(a_n-4a_{n-1})$$ so putting $b_n=a_n-4a_{n-1}$ you get $$b_{n+1} = 3b_n$$ so $b_n$ is geometric progression, with $b_2=3$ so $b_1=1$ and thus $$b_n = 3^{n-1}$$ so $$\boxed{a_{n+1}-4a_n =3^n}$$

Step 2

You can also note that $$a_{n+1}-3a_n = 4(a_n-3a_{n-1})$$ so putting $c_n=a_n-3a_{n-1}$ you get $$c_{n+1} = 4c_n$$ so $c_n$ is geometric progression, with $c_2=4$ so $c_1=1$ and thus $$c_n = 4^{n-1}$$ so $$\boxed{a_{n+1}-3a_n = 4^{n}}$$

Step 3

If you substract those formulas in boxes you get:

$$\boxed{a_n = 4^{n}- 3^n}$$