Fraction calculator
This calculator adds two fractions. First, all fractions are converted to a common denominator when they have different denominators. To do this, find the Least Common Denominator (LCD) or multiply all denominators to determine a common denominator. Once all denominators are the same, add the numerators and place the result over the common denominator. Finally, simplify the result to its lowest terms or convert it to a mixed number.
The result:
1/2 + 1/4 = 3/4 = 0.75
Spelled out: three quarters.How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Add: 1/2 + 1/4 = 1 · 2/2 · 2 + 1/4 = 2/4 + 1/4 = 2 + 1/4 = 3/4
It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal) denominator for adding fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(2, 4) = 4. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 2 × 4 = 8. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, one half plus one quarter equals three quarters.
Rules for expressions with fractions:
Fractions - Use a forward slash to separate the numerator and denominator. For example, for five-hundredths, enter 5/100.Mixed numbers Leave one space between the whole number and the fraction part, and use a forward slash for the fraction. For example, enter 1 2/3 . For negative mixed numbers, write the negative sign before the whole number, such as -5 1/2.
Division of fractions - Since the forward slash is used for both fraction lines and division, use a colon (:) to divide fractions. For example, to divide 1/2 by 1/3, enter 1/2 : 1/3.
Decimals Enter decimal numbers using a decimal point (.), and they will be automatically converted to fractions. For example, enter 1.45.
Math Symbols
| Symbol | Symbol name | Symbol Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| + | plus sign | addition | 1/2 + 1/3 |
| - | minus sign | subtraction | 1 1/2 - 2/3 |
| * | asterisk | multiplication | 2/3 * 3/4 |
| × | times sign | multiplication | 2/3 × 5/6 |
| : | division sign | division | 1/2 : 3 |
| / | division slash | division | 1/3 / 5 |
| : | colon | complex fraction | 1/2 : 1/3 |
| ^ | caret | exponentiation / power | 1/4^3 |
| () | parentheses | calculate expression inside first | -3/5 - (-1/4) |
Examples:
• adding fractions: 2/4 + 3/4• subtracting fractions: 2/3 - 1/2
• multiplying fractions: 7/8 * 3/9
• dividing fractions: 1/2 : 3/4
• reciprocal of a fraction: 1 : 3/4
• square of a fraction: 2/3 ^ 2
• cube of a fraction: 2/3 ^ 3
• exponentiation of a fraction: 1/2 ^ 4
• fractional exponents: 16 ^ 1/2
• adding fractions and mixed numbers: 8/5 + 6 2/7
• dividing integer and fraction: 5 ÷ 1/2
• complex fractions: 5/8 : 2 2/3
• decimal to fraction: 0.625
• fraction to decimal: 1/4
• fraction to percent: 1/8 %
• comparing fractions: 1/4 2/3
• square root of a fraction: sqrt(1/16)
• expression with brackets: 1/3 * (1/2 - 3 3/8)
• compound fraction: 3/4 of 5/7
• multiplying fractions: 2/3 of 3/5
• divide to find the quotient: 3/5÷2/3
Understanding Order of Operations
Ever wondered why calculators don't just work left to right? This calculator follows the mathematical order of operations — a set of rules that ensures everyone solves expressions the same way, every time.
Popular Memory Tricks
Different regions use different mnemonics to remember this order:
* PEMDAS - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction
* BEDMAS - Brackets, Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction
* BODMAS - Brackets, Order (or "Of"), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction
* GEMDAS - Grouping symbols (parentheses, brackets, braces: (){}), Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction
The Golden Rules
Rule 1: Multiplication and division always come before addition and subtraction. Think of them as the VIPs that skip to the front of the line!
Rule 2: When operations have equal priority (like × and ÷, or + and −), work from left to right—just like reading a book.
Pro tip: MDAS is a simplified version focusing on the core concept: Multiplication and Division share the same priority level, as do Addition and Subtraction.
Fractions in word problems:
- Fraction and a decimal
Write as a fraction and a decimal. One and two plus three and five hundredths - Compare ratios
Is ratios 4:7 and 16:19 equivalent? - A sixth of a million
Please, how much is 2/6 of 10,000,000,- USD? - Bags of clothes
Nathan and John are collecting clothes for a clothing drive. John collected 1/10 as many clothes as Nathan did. If Nathan collected 1/3 of a bag of clothes, how many bags of clothes did John collect? - Jennifer
Jennifer has 10 pets. Two-fifths of the pets are cats, one-half are fish, and one-tenth are dogs. How many of each pet does she have? - Beth wants
Beth wants to give 1/4 pizza to each of her 6 friends. Which choice does not show the number of pizzas Beth needs? - A chocolate 2
A chocolate cake is cut into twelve equal pieces. Mr. Greedy eats five pieces at break time with his mug of tea. What fraction of the cake is left?
more math problems »
Last Modified: January 20, 2026
