What is 3 1/2 minus 1 1/3?

Step by step

1. Write each number as a fraction
   3 1/2 = (3 × 2 + 1)/2 = 7/2
   1 1/3 = (1 × 3 + 1)/3 = 4/3
2. Find a common denominator
   The lowest common denominator of 2 and 3 is 6.
   7/2 = (7 × 3)/(2 × 3) = 21/6
   4/3 = (4 × 2)/(3 × 2) = 8/6
3. Subtract the numerators (tops)
   21/6 − 8/6 = 13/6
4. Write it as a mixed number
   13 ÷ 6 = 2 remainder 1, so 13/6 = 2 1/6

Check: 13/6 + 4/3 = 7/2 ✓

Picture

Each bar is one whole, split into equal parts.

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