What is 1/4 (5y-3) + 1/16 (12y+17

What is the question? If you are only trying to expand the expression then the answer would be:

1/4 (5y-3) + 1/16 (12y+17)

(5y/4) - (3/4) + (12y/16) + (17/16)

1.25y - 0.75 + 0.75y + 1.0625

2y + 0.3125

If you are trying to find for y, then you forgot to equate it to 0, that is:

2y + 0.3125 = 0

2y = - 0.3125

y = 0.15625