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:

1.96 * 1.96 = 2401/625 = 3 526/625 = 3.8416

The result spelled out in words is two thousand four hundred one six-hundred twenty-fifths (or three and five hundred twenty-six six-hundred twenty-fifths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a decimal number to a fraction: 1.96 = 196/100 = 49/25

    a) Write down the decimal 1.96 divided by 1: 1.96 = 1.96/1
    b) Multiply both top and bottom by 10 for every number after the decimal point. (For example, if there are two numbers after the decimal point, then use 100, if there are three then use 1000, etc.)
    1.96/1 = 19.6/10 = 196/100
    Note: 196/100 is called a decimal fraction.

    c) Simplify and reduce the fraction
    196/100 = 49 * 4/25 * 4 = 49 * 4/25 * 4 = 49/25
  2. Multiple: 1.96 * 1.96 = 49 · 49/25 · 25 = 2401/625
    Multiply both numerators and denominators. Result fraction keep to lowest possible denominator GCD(2401, 625) = 1. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, forty-nine twenty-fifths multiplied by forty-nine twenty-fifths equals two thousand four hundred one six-hundred twenty-fifths.

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: May 12, 2025