1. **State the problem:** We need to find the result of subtracting 2 wholes and one fourth from 2 wholes and one half. 2. **Write the mixed numbers as improper fractions:** - 2 wholes and one half is $2 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{2 \times 2 + 1}{2} = \frac{5}{2}$. - 2 wholes and one fourth is $2 \frac{1}{4} = \frac{2 \times 4 + 1}{4} = \frac{9}{4}$. 3. **Set up the subtraction:** $$\frac{5}{2} - \frac{9}{4}$$ 4. **Find a common denominator:** The denominators are 2 and 4. The least common denominator is 4. 5. **Convert fractions to have the same denominator:** $$\frac{5}{2} = \frac{5 \times 2}{2 \times 2} = \frac{10}{4}$$ 6. **Subtract the fractions:** $$\frac{10}{4} - \frac{9}{4} = \frac{10 - 9}{4} = \frac{1}{4}$$ 7. **Interpret the result:** The difference is $\frac{1}{4}$, which is one fourth. **Final answer:** $\frac{1}{4}$