Fraction calculator



This fraction calculator performs basic and advanced fraction operations, expressions with fractions combined with integers, decimals, and mixed numbers. It also shows detailed step-by-step information about the fraction calculation procedure. The calculator helps in finding value from multiple fractions operations. Solve problems with two, three, or more fractions and numbers in one expression.

The result:

-5 1/2 = -11/2 = -5 1/2 = -5.5

Spelled result in words is minus eleven halfs (or minus five and one half).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 5 1/2 to a improper fraction: 5 1/2 = 5 1/2 = 5 · 2 + 1/2 = 10 + 1/2 = 11/2

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 5 by the denominator 2. Whole number 5 equally 5 * 2/2 = 10/2
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 10 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 10 + 1 = 11
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 11) over the denominator 2.

    Five and one half is eleven halfs.
  2. Unary minus: -11/2 = -11/2

Rules for expressions with fractions:

Fractions - use a forward slash to divide the numerator by the denominator, i.e., for five-hundredths, enter 5/100. If you use mixed numbers, leave a space between the whole and fraction parts.

Mixed numerals (mixed numbers or fractions) keep one space between the integer and
fraction and use a forward slash to input fractions i.e., 1 2/3 . An example of a negative mixed fraction: -5 1/2.
Because slash is both sign for fraction line and division, use a colon (:) as the operator of division fractions i.e., 1/2 : 1/3.
Decimals (decimal numbers) enter with a decimal point . and they are automatically converted to fractions - i.e. 1.45.

Math Symbols


SymbolSymbol nameSymbol MeaningExample
+plus signaddition 1/2 + 1/3
-minus signsubtraction 1 1/2 - 2/3
*asteriskmultiplication 2/3 * 3/4
×times signmultiplication 2/3 × 5/6
:division signdivision 1/2 : 3
/division slashdivision 1/3 / 5
:coloncomplex fraction 1/2 : 1/3
^caretexponentiation / power 1/4^3
()parenthesescalculate expression inside first-3/5 - (-1/4)