Fraction calculator
This fraction calculator performs all fraction operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division — and evaluates expressions with fractions. Each calculation includes detailed step-by-step explanations.
The result:
2/3 * 1/2 = 1/3 ≅ 0.3333333
Spelled out: one third.How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Multiple: 2/3 * 1/2 = 2 · 1/3 · 2 = 2/6 = 1 · 2/3 · 2 = 1/3
Multiply both numerators and denominators. Result fraction keep to lowest possible denominator GCD(2, 6) = 2. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 2 gives 1/3.
In other words, two thirds multiplied by one half equals one third.
Rules for expressions with fractions:
Fractions - Use a forward slash to separate the numerator and denominator. For example, for five-hundredths, enter 5/100.Mixed numbers Leave one space between the whole number and the fraction part, and use a forward slash for the fraction. For example, enter 1 2/3 . For negative mixed numbers, write the negative sign before the whole number, such as -5 1/2.
Division of fractions - Since the forward slash is used for both fraction lines and division, use a colon (:) to divide fractions. For example, to divide 1/2 by 1/3, enter 1/2 : 1/3.
Decimals Enter decimal numbers using a decimal point (.), and they will be automatically converted to fractions. For example, enter 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
• multiplying fractions: 2/3 of 3/5
• divide to find the quotient: 3/5÷2/3
Understanding Order of Operations
Ever wondered why calculators don't just work left to right? This calculator follows the mathematical order of operations — a set of rules that ensures everyone solves expressions the same way, every time.
Popular Memory Tricks
Different regions use different mnemonics to remember this order:
* 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 (parentheses, brackets, braces: (){}), Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction
The Golden Rules
Rule 1: Multiplication and division always come before addition and subtraction. Think of them as the VIPs that skip to the front of the line!
Rule 2: When operations have equal priority (like × and ÷, or + and −), work from left to right—just like reading a book.
Pro tip: MDAS is a simplified version focusing on the core concept: Multiplication and Division share the same priority level, as do Addition and Subtraction.
Fractions in word problems:
- A sixth of a million
Please, how much is 2/6 of 10,000,000,- USD? - Bags of clothes
Nathan and John are collecting clothes for a clothing drive. John collected 1/10 as many clothes as Nathan did. If Nathan collected 1/3 of a bag of clothes, how many bags of clothes did John collect? - Food - rice
A man spent 1/3 of his salary on food. 1/4 of what he spent on food was on rice. What fraction of his salary did he spend on rice? - Jennifer
Jennifer has 10 pets. Two-fifths of the pets are cats, one-half are fish, and one-tenth are dogs. How many of each pet does she have? - Beth wants
Beth wants to give 1/4 pizza to each of her 6 friends. Which choice does not show the number of pizzas Beth needs? - Pencils
You have 36 pencil crayons. How many pencil crayons make 1/2 of the total? - Learnes
There are 800 learners in a school 7/8 of the learners walk to school. How many learners walk in school?
more math problems »
Last Modified: January 20, 2026
