9. \( \frac{5}{4}-\frac{5}{8} \)

To solve \( \frac{5}{4}-\frac{5}{8} \), start by finding a common denominator. The least common denominator between 4 and 8 is 8. Rewrite \( \frac{5}{4} \) as \( \frac{10}{8} \). Now, the equation becomes \( \frac{10}{8} - \frac{5}{8} = \frac{10 - 5}{8} = \frac{5}{8} \). So, the final answer is \( \frac{5}{8} \). This little exercise isn't just a math problem; it can apply to real-world contexts, like cooking or mixing ingredients. For example, if a recipe calls for \( \frac{5}{4} \) cups of flour and you need to subtract \( \frac{5}{8} \) cups, you'll be able to determine exactly how much flour remains for your delicious baked goods! When working with fractions, a common mistake is not converting to a common denominator correctly. Always ensure fractions are expressed with the same denominator before performing operations. Miscalculating or skipping this step will lead to incorrect results. Double-check your work for accuracy to avoid this pitfall!