3 1/4 - 1 7/8
First, subtract the whole numbers (3 - 1 = 2):
= 2 1/4 - 7/8
Convert 1/4 to 2/8:
= 2 2/8 - 7/8
Borrow 1=8/8 from the 2:
= 1 10/8 - 7/8
Subtract 7/8 from 10/8:
= 1 3/8
The answer is 1 3/8
Alternatively, use improper fractions:
3 1/4 = 13/4 = 26/8
1 7/8 = 15/8
26/8 - 15/8 = 11/8 = 1 3/8
