To solve for x in the first equation, we need to isolate x by bringing -16 over to the other side:

3x - 16 = 8
3x = 8 + 16
3x = 24
x = 24 / 3
x = 8

To solve for y in the second equation, we need to isolate y by bringing 70 over to the other side:

9y + 70 = 20
9y = 20 - 70
9y = -50
y = -50 / 9
y = -5.56 (rounded to two decimal places)

Therefore, the solutions are x = 8 and y = -5.56.