Question

4-t=3(t-1)-5
I really need steps, the variable in the parentheses is seriously confusing me.

Answer 1

4-t = 3(t-1)-5
4-t = 3t-3-5 (Apply distributive property - this means you multiply everything within the brackets by the value in front of the brackets)
4-t+t = 3t-3-5+t (Add t on both sides - think of it like a scale, adding t to both sides won't make them unequal)
4 = 3t+t-3-5 (Now collect like terms)
4 = 4t-8
4 + 8 = 4t-8+8 (Add 8 on both sides)
12 = 4t
12/4 = 4t/4 (Divide both sides by 4)
3 = t

Therefore t=3.

Answer 2

4 - t = 3(t - 1) - 5

= 4 - t = (3t - 3) - 5
= 4 - t = 3t - 8

Add 8 to both sides:
12 - t = 3t

Add t on both sides:
12 = 4t

Divide both sides by 4:
t = 3

Hope I helped :)

EDIT: Yeah I see where I went wrong - answer is 3