5 1/2 - 1 2/3 =

To subtract mixed numbers like these, we need to convert them into improper fractions first.

5 1/2 = (5 * 2 + 1)/2 = 11/2

1 2/3 = (1 * 3 + 2)/3 = 5/3

Now we can subtract:

11/2 - 5/3

To do this, we need to find a common denominator for the two fractions. The smallest common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6.

11/2 = 33/6 (multiply numerator and denominator by 3)

5/3 = 10/6 (multiply numerator and denominator by 2)

Now we can subtract:

33/6 - 10/6 = 23/6

So, 5 1/2 - 1 2/3 = 23/6.