Subtraction of fractions with different but related denominators

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

\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 fractions with the same denominator)} \\&= \frac{3}{6} \\&= \frac{1}{2} \text{(simplify)}\end{align}