\(\left(\dfrac{-15}{16}-\dfrac{17}{4}\right)-\left(\dfrac{-31}{16}+1\dfrac{3}{4}\right)\)
\(=\left(\dfrac{-15}{16}-\dfrac{17}{4}\right)+\dfrac{31}{16}-1\dfrac{3}{4}\)
\(=\dfrac{-15}{16}-\dfrac{17}{4}+\dfrac{31}{16}-\dfrac{7}{4}=\left(\dfrac{-15}{16}+\dfrac{31}{16}\right)-\left(\dfrac{17}{4}+\dfrac{7}{4}\right)\)
\(=1-6=-5\)