To solve the equation $3y - 1 = 5$, follow these steps:

1. Add 1 to both sides of the equation to isolate the term with $y$: $3y - 1 + 1 = 5 + 1$ Simplifying this: $3y = 6$

2. Divide both sides by 3 to solve for $y$: $y = \frac{6}{3}$ $y = 2$

The solution is $y = 2$.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions to consider:

1. What happens if you subtract 1 from both sides instead of adding?
2. How do you check if your solution for $y$ is correct?
3. Can you solve a similar equation like $4y - 3 = 9$?
4. What if the equation had fractions, like $\frac{3y}{2} - 1 = 5$?
5. How would you graph this equation on a coordinate plane?

Tip: Always check your solution by substituting it back into the original equation.