Question

4 1/2 - 2 7/8

Answer 1

change them to improper fractions, with the same denominator (8)

Answer 2

4 1/2 - 2 7/8.
Change the mixed numbers to improper
fractions by multiplying the whole number by the denominator of the fraction and add the numerator:

9/2 - 23/8,
Find the common denominator(=> 8).
In this case it is 8, because 2 will divide into 8 with no remainder:
36/8 - 23/8 = 13/8 = 1 5/8.