Fraction calculator



This fractions calculator performs all fraction operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and evaluates expressions with fractions. It also shows detailed step-by-step information.

The result:

1/2 + 1/5 + 4/5 + 1 2/3 = 19/6 = 3 1/63.1666667

The result spelled out in words is nineteen sixths (or three and one sixth).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Add: 1/2 + 1/5 = 1 · 5/2 · 5 + 1 · 2/5 · 2 = 5/10 + 2/10 = 5 + 2/10 = 7/10
    It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal, identical) denominator for adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(2, 5) = 10. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 2 × 5 = 10. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, one half plus one fifth equals seven tenths.
  2. Add: the result of step No. 1 + 4/5 = 7/10 + 4/5 = 7/10 + 4 · 2/5 · 2 = 7/10 + 8/10 = 7 + 8/10 = 15/10 = 5 · 3/5 · 2 = 3/2
    It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal, identical) denominator for adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(10, 5) = 10. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 10 × 5 = 50. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 5 gives 3/2.
    In other words, seven tenths plus four fifths equals three halves.
  3. Conversion a mixed number 1 2/3 to a improper fraction: 1 2/3 = 1 2/3 = 1 · 3 + 2/3 = 3 + 2/3 = 5/3

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 1 by the denominator 3. Whole number 1 equally 1 * 3/3 = 3/3
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 3 to the numerator 2. New numerator is 3 + 2 = 5
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 5) over the denominator 3.

    One and two thirds is five thirds.
  4. Add: the result of step No. 2 + 5/3 = 3/2 + 5/3 = 3 · 3/2 · 3 + 5 · 2/3 · 2 = 9/6 + 10/6 = 9 + 10/6 = 19/6
    It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal, identical) denominator for adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(2, 3) = 6. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 2 × 3 = 6. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, three halves plus five thirds equals nineteen sixths.

Rules for expressions with fractions:

Fractions - write a forward slash to separate the numerator and 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 whole part and fraction and use a forward slash to input fraction i.e., 1 2/3 . A negative mixed fraction write for example as -5 1/2.
A slash is both a sign for fraction line and division, use a colon (:) for division fractions i.e., 1/2 : 1/3.
Decimals (decimal numbers) enter with a decimal dot . 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)


The calculator follows well-known rules for the order of operations. The most common mnemonics for remembering this order are:
  • 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 (brackets: `(){}`), Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
  • MDAS: Multiplication and Division (same precedence), Addition and Subtraction (same precedence). MDAS is a subset of PEMDAS.
Important Notes:
1. Multiplication/Division vs. Addition/Subtraction: Always perform multiplication and division *before* addition and subtraction.
2. Left-to-Right Rule: Operators with the same precedence (e.g., `+` and `-`, or `*` and `/`) must be evaluated from left to right.

Last Modified: March 25, 2025