First, subtract the whole numbers:

5 - 3 = 2

Next, subtract the fractions separately:

8/9 - 2/9 = 6/9 = 2/3

Combine the whole number and the fraction:

2 2/3

Finally, multiply by 9/2:

(2 2/3) 9/2 = (8/3) (9/2) = 72/6 = 12

So, (5 8/9 - 3 2/9) * 9/2 = 12.