To subtract \( \frac{7}{8} \) from \( \frac{1}{4} \), we need a common denominator. The least common denominator of 4 and 8 is 8.
First, convert \( \frac{1}{4} \) to have a denominator of 8:
\[ \frac{1}{4} = \frac{1 \times 2}{4 \times 2} = \frac{2}{8} \]
Now, we can subtract:
\[ \frac{2}{8} - \frac{7}{8} = \frac{2 - 7}{8} = \frac{-5}{8} \]
So, \( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{7}{8} = \frac{-5}{8} \).