To subtract two mixed numbers, you generally follow these steps: 1. Subtract the fractional parts. 2. Subtract the whole number parts. 3. If necessary, adjust the subtraction to "borrow" 1 from the whole number part. For the problem: 2 1/8 - 1 7/8 1. Subtract the fractions: 1/8 - 7/8. Since the second fraction is larger, you need to borrow 1 from the whole number part of the larger mixed number. Convert this 1 to 8/8 (since the fractions have denominators of 8). So, it becomes: 2 1/8 - 1 7/8 => 1 9/8 - 1 7/8. 2. Now, subtract the fractions: 9/8 - 7/8 = 2/8. 3. Subtract the whole numbers: 1 - 1 = 0. So, the result is 0 2/8. Now, reduce the fraction (if possible), the fraction 2/8 reduces to 1/4 (2 and 8 have a common factor of 2). Therefore, 2 1/8 - 1 7/8 equals 1/4.