5 and a half - 8 and a quarter would be
$$\left({\mathtt{5}}{\mathtt{\,\small\textbf+\,}}{\frac{{\mathtt{1}}}{{\mathtt{2}}}}\right){\mathtt{\,-\,}}\left({\mathtt{8}}{\mathtt{\,\small\textbf+\,}}{\frac{{\mathtt{1}}}{{\mathtt{4}}}}\right) = -{\mathtt{2.75}}$$