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:
17 1/5 - 2 5/8 = 583/40 = 14 23/40 = 14.575
The result spelled out in words is five hundred eighty-three fortieths (or fourteen and twenty-three fortieths).How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Conversion a mixed number 17 1/5 to a improper fraction: 17 1/5 = 17 1/5 = 17 · 5 + 1/5 = 85 + 1/5 = 86/5
To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 17 by the denominator 5. Whole number 17 equally 17 * 5/5 = 85/5
b) Add the answer from the previous step 85 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 85 + 1 = 86
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 86) over the denominator 5.
Seventeen and one fifth is eighty-six fifths. - 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. - Subtract: 86/5 - 21/8 = 86 · 8/5 · 8 - 21 · 5/8 · 5 = 688/40 - 105/40 = 688 - 105/40 = 583/40
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(5, 8) = 40. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 5 × 8 = 40. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, eighty-six fifths minus twenty-one eighths equals five hundred eighty-three fortieths.
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:
- Compare two fractions
Find which is the larger of the two fractions: 11/32, 7/24, by expressing the numbers as a) fractions with the same denominator, b) decimals.
- Rhea answered
Rhea answered 5/11 of the questions correctly, and Precious answered 7/11 of them correctly. Who got the higher score if each problem is worth the same amount?
- Subtract and compare
1-5/8 is the same as 11/8, true or false?
- Fraction multiplication
Solve six times three-sixths equals blank. Leave your answer as an improper fraction. thirty-six thirds eighteen-sixths eighteen-sixteenths three thirty-sixths
- Which 15
Which is larger, 1 2/7 or 10/4?
- Parul
Parul and Tarun ran a race of 200m. Parul completed the race in 2/3 min and Taun in 3/5 mins. Who took more time?
- A student 4
A student knows that ¾ x 4 is the same as 4 x ¾ The student assumes that 4 ÷ ¾ is the same as ¾ ÷ 4 Is the student correct?
more math problems »
Last Modified: April 1, 2025