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 2/3 * 2 5/8 = 35/8 = 4 3/8 = 4.375

The spelled result in words is thirty-five eighths (or four and three eighths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. 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.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 2 5/8 to a improper fraction: 2 5/8 = 2 5/8 = 2 · 8 + 5/8 = 16 + 5/8 = 21/8

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 2 by the denominator 8. Whole number 2 equally 2 * 8/8 = 16/8
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 16 to the numerator 5. New numerator is 16 + 5 = 21
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 21) over the denominator 8.

    Two and five eighths is twenty-one eighths.
  3. Multiple: 5/3 * 21/8 = 5 · 21/3 · 8 = 105/24 = 35 · 3/8 · 3 = 35/8
    Multiply both numerators and denominators. Result fraction keep to lowest possible denominator GCD(105, 24) = 3. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 3 gives 35/8.
    In other words - five thirds multiplied by twenty-one eighths is thirty-five eighths.

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 of operations are:
PEMDAS - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
BEDMAS - Brackets, Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction
BODMAS - Brackets, Of or Order, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
GEMDAS - Grouping Symbols - brackets (){}, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
MDAS - Multiplication and Division have the same precedence over Addition and Subtraction. The MDAS rule is the order of operations part of the PEMDAS rule.
Be careful; always do multiplication and division before addition and subtraction. Some operators (+ and -) and (* and /) have the same priority and must be evaluated from left to right.


Last Modified: December 30, 2024