To solve \(7 \frac{1}{2} - 5 \frac{1}{4}\), you can subtract the whole numbers and the fractions separately.
1. Subtract the whole numbers: \(7 - 5 = 2\).
2. Subtract the fractions: \(\frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{2}{4} - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{1}{4}\).
Combine the results:
\[ 2 \frac{1}{4} \]
So, \(7 \frac{1}{2} - 5 \frac{1}{4} = 2 \frac{1}{4}\).