To solve for \( w \) in the equation
\[ w - \frac{5}{4} = \frac{23}{4} \]
you need to isolate \( w \). You can do this by adding \(\frac{5}{4}\) to both sides of the equation:
\[ w = \frac{23}{4} + \frac{5}{4} \]
Since both fractions have the same denominator, you can combine them:
\[ w = \frac{23 + 5}{4} = \frac{28}{4} \]
Now, simplify \(\frac{28}{4}\):
\[ w = 7 \]
So the solution is
\[ \boxed{7} \]