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:

11/12 + 5/3 + 1/4 = 17/6 = 2 5/62.8333333

The result spelled out in words is seventeen sixths (or two and five sixths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Add: 11/12 + 5/3 = 11/12 + 5 · 4/3 · 4 = 11/12 + 20/12 = 11 + 20/12 = 31/12
    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(12, 3) = 12. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 12 × 3 = 36. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, eleven twelfths plus five thirds equals thirty-one twelfths.
  2. Add: the result of step No. 1 + 1/4 = 31/12 + 1/4 = 31/12 + 1 · 3/4 · 3 = 31/12 + 3/12 = 31 + 3/12 = 34/12 = 2 · 17/2 · 6 = 17/6
    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(12, 4) = 12. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 12 × 4 = 48. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 2 gives 17/6.
    In other words, thirty-one twelfths plus one quarter equals seventeen 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: May 12, 2025