Question: Solve the equation 16 - 2t = 5t + 9.
1. **State the problem**
Solve the equation $16 - 2t = 5t + 9$.
2. **Use the goal of isolating the variable**
We want all the $t$ terms on one side and all the numbers on the other side.
3. **Subtract $5t$ from both sides**
$$16 - 2t - 5t = 5t + 9 - 5t$$
$$16 - 7t = 9$$
4. **Subtract $16$ from both sides**
$$16 - 7t - 16 = 9 - 16$$
$$-7t = -7$$
5. **Divide both sides by $-7$**
$$\frac{-7t}{-7} = \frac{-7}{-7}$$
$$\cancel{-7}t/\cancel{-7} = \cancel{-7}/\cancel{-7}$$
$$t = 1$$
6. **Check the answer**
Substitute $t = 1$ into the original equation:
$$16 - 2(1) = 5(1) + 9$$
$$16 - 2 = 5 + 9$$
$$14 = 14$$
The check works, so the solution is correct.
**Final answer:** $t = 1$