If the measures of two complementary angles are y and y-16 find the measure of the smaller angle?

Two complementary angles add up to 90°. So we have,

y + (y - 16) = 90

2y - 16 = 90 add 16 to both sides;

2y = 106 divide by 2 to both sides;

y = 53

y - 16 = 53 - 16 = 37

Thus the smallest angle is 37°.