1) Set the equation equal to 0.
In order to do that, subtract 5/12 on both sides of the equation. Now you have 1/3y-1/6=0. If you need just an equation, there it is. If you need to go farther to find y, continue to step two.
2) Now get the variable by itself.
Add 1/6 to both sides. Now you have 1/3y=1/6.
3) Now divide 1/3y by both sides- but wait- it's a fraction.
So you have to multiply by the reciprocal which means multiply by 3 to both sides in this case.
So y=1/2.
Hope that's right and that it helped!