Решение:
\[ \frac{5}{84} - \frac{17}{21} = \frac{5}{84} - \frac{17 \cdot 4}{21 \cdot 4} = \frac{5}{84} - \frac{68}{84} = \frac{5 - 68}{84} = -\frac{63}{84} \]
\[ -\frac{63}{84} = -\frac{3 \cdot 21}{4 \cdot 21} = -\frac{3}{4} \]
\[ 18 - \left(-\frac{3}{4}\right) = 18 + \frac{3}{4} \]
\[ 18 = \frac{18 \cdot 4}{4} = \frac{72}{4} \]
\[ \frac{72}{4} + \frac{3}{4} = \frac{72 + 3}{4} = \frac{75}{4} \]
Ответ: \(\frac{75}{4}\)