6 2/3 - (1/2 + 2 5/6)
Change the mixed numbers into pure fractions.
Multiply the whole number by the denominator,
then add the numerator; the result goes over the
denominator.
6 2/3 = ((6 * 3) + 2) / 3 = 20/3
2 5/6 = ((2 * 6) + 5) / 6 = 17/6
Now the problem is:
20/3 - (1/2 + 17/6)
You are subtracting 1/2 AND you are subtracting 17/6
20/3 - 1/2 - 17/6
You need all the fractions to have a common denominator.
For this problem, 6 is the common denominator.
Multiply 20/3 by 2/2; multiply 1/2 by 3/3.
(20/3)(2/2) - (1/2)(3/3) - 17/6
40/6 - 3/6 -17/6
(40 - 3 - 17)/6 = 20/6 = 10/3
10/3 = 3 1/3