Question 21988
The principal idea here is to isolate the variable to one side of the equation.
This is done by "undoing" (doing the opposite operation on) whatever has been done to the variable.

1) 18 - 3y = 5 Isolate the y-term by subtracting 18 from both sides of the equation.
-3y = 5-18
-3y = -13 Now divide both sides by -3
y = 13/3
y = 4 1/3

2) -14+9a = 38 Add 14 to both sides to isolate the a-term.
9a = 38+14
9a = 52 Now divide both sides by 9.
a = 52/9
a = 5 7/9

3) 14r+8 = 32 Subtract 8 from both sides.
14r = 24 Now divide both sides by 14.
r = 24/14
r = 1 5/7

4) 37-58b = 204 Subtract 37 from both sides.
-58b = 167 Now divide by -58.
b = -(167/58)
b = -2 51/58