If y - 5 = 3, then what is the value of y?

To find the value of y in the equation y - 5 = 3, you need to isolate y. This can be accomplished by adding 5 to both sides of the equation.

Starting with the equation:

y - 5 = 3

Adding 5 to both sides gives:

y - 5 + 5 = 3 + 5

This simplifies to:

y = 8

Thus, the value of y is 8, making this the correct answer. This method of solving the equation is a fundamental aspect of understanding algebra, and it highlights the importance of performing the same operation on both sides of an equation to maintain equality.