Make the denominators the same. you need to change the "4" in "1/4" to be 24. u do that by multiplying the 4 by 6. since u did this to the bottom of the fraction, u have to do it in the top ( or the numerator) so 1*6 is 6. so now your question is 17/24-6/24. subtract the top and keep the bottom the same which leaves you 11/24.