Subtraction of fractions with different but related denominators

To subtract fractions with different denominators, we must first convert them to equivalent fractions with the same denominators.

\begin{align}1\frac{1}{3} − \frac{5}{6} &= \frac{4}{3} − \frac{5}{6} \text{(convert mixed number to improper fraction)} \\&= \frac{8}{6} − \frac{5}{6} \text{(convert to equivalent fraction with same denominator)} \\&= \frac{3}{6} \\&= \frac{1}{2} \text{(simplify)}\end{align}