What is -2 equals 3y-18-5y?

Answer 1

It's a convoluted presentation of a relatively simple linear equation in 'y'.

The 'solution' ... that is, the only value of 'y' that makes it a true statement ...

can be found like this:

-2 = 3y - 18 - 5y

Add 18 to each side:

16 = 3y - 5y

Combine like terms (perform the indicated subtraction)

on the right side:

16 = -2y

Divide each side by -2:

-8 = y