Fraction calculator
This fraction calculator performs all fraction operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and evaluates expressions with fractions. It also shows detailed step-by-step information.
The result:
1/3 + 1/5 + 1/2 = 31/30 = 1 1/30 ≅ 1.0333333
The result spelled out in words is thirty-one thirtieths (or one and one thirtieth).How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Add: 1/3 + 1/5 = 1 · 5/3 · 5 + 1 · 3/5 · 3 = 5/15 + 3/15 = 5 + 3/15 = 8/15
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(3, 5) = 15. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 3 × 5 = 15. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, one third plus one fifth equals eight fifteenths. - Add: the result of step No. 1 + 1/2 = 8/15 + 1/2 = 8 · 2/15 · 2 + 1 · 15/2 · 15 = 16/30 + 15/30 = 16 + 15/30 = 31/30
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(15, 2) = 30. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 15 × 2 = 30. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, eight fifteenths plus one half equals thirty-one thirtieths.
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
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
• fractions multiple: 2/3 of 3/5
• divide to find the quotient: 3/5÷2/3
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.
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.
Fractions in word problems:
- Equations
Solve the following equations without fractions: a) 5 (x-1) -7 = 17-3 (1-x) b) 3 (y-2) -4y = 2- (1 + 2y)
- Soup 4
Cornell makes 11/12 of a gallon of soup. He eats equal portions of soup for 5 days, with no soup remaining after the 5th day. How many gallons of soup did Cornell eat each day?
- One third
If 3/5 is 360, how much is 1/3?
- Equation 20
In the given equation: 8/9-4/5=2/9+x, find x
- The sum 49
The sum of two rational numbers is -5. If one of them is -13/6, find the other.
- Attending school
Huang lives 1/4 of a mile from school, while Lily lives 2/3 of a mile from school. How much further does Lily live from school than Huang?
- Mary needs
Mary needs to order pizza for 18 students. Each student should get ¼ of a pizza. How many pizzas should Mary order?
more math problems »
Last Modified: June 23, 2025