Question

36 = y - 5y - 12

Answer 1

Simplifying
36 = y + -5y + -12

Reorder the terms:
36 = -12 + y + -5y

Combine like terms: y + -5y = -4y
36 = -12 + -4y

Solving
36 = -12 + -4y

Solving for variable 'y'.

Move all terms containing y to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '4y' to each side of the equation.
36 + 4y = -12 + -4y + 4y

Combine like terms: -4y + 4y = 0
36 + 4y = -12 + 0
36 + 4y = -12

Add '-36' to each side of the equation.
36 + -36 + 4y = -12 + -36

Combine like terms: 36 + -36 = 0
0 + 4y = -12 + -36
4y = -12 + -36

Combine like terms: -12 + -36 = -48
4y = -48

Divide each side by '4'.
y = -12

Simplifying
y = -12

Answer 2

36 = y - 5y - 12 -- combine like terms
36 = -4y - 12 -- add 12 to both sides
36 + 12 = -4y
48 = -4y -- divide by -4
-12 = y

I agree with the above answer