What is 3 1/2 minus 2/3?

Step by step

1. Write each number as a fraction
   3 1/2 = (3 × 2 + 1)/2 = 7/2
2. Find a common denominator
   The lowest common denominator of 2 and 3 is 6.
   7/2 = (7 × 3)/(2 × 3) = 21/6
   2/3 = (2 × 2)/(3 × 2) = 4/6
3. Subtract the numerators (tops)
   21/6 − 4/6 = 17/6
4. Write it as a mixed number
   17 ÷ 6 = 2 remainder 5, so 17/6 = 2 5/6

Check: 17/6 + 2/3 = 7/2 ✓

Picture

Each bar is one whole, split into equal parts.

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