1. **State the problem:** Solve the two-step linear equation for $y$: $$-2 = 2y - 4$$ 2. **Formula and rules:** To solve for $y$, isolate the variable by undoing addition/subtraction and multiplication/division in reverse order. 3. **Step 1: Add 4 to both sides to cancel the $-4$:** $$-2 + 4 = 2y - 4 + 4$$ $$2 = 2y$$ 4. **Step 2: Divide both sides by 2 to isolate $y$:** $$\frac{2}{\cancel{2}} = \frac{2y}{\cancel{2}}$$ $$1 = y$$ 5. **Final answer:** $$y = 1$$ 6. **Check:** Substitute $y=1$ back into the original equation: $$-2 \stackrel{?}{=} 2(1) - 4$$ $$-2 \stackrel{?}{=} 2 - 4$$ $$-2 = -2$$ The solution is correct.