Fraction calculator
This calculator divides fractions. The first step makes the reciprocal value of the second fraction - exchange numerator and denominator of 2nd fraction. Then multiply both numerators and place the result over the product of both denominators. Then simplify the result to the lowest terms or a mixed number.
The result:
2/5 / 1/3 = 6/5 = 1 1/5 = 1.2
The result spelled out in words is six fifths (or one and one fifth).How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Divide: 2/5 : 1/3 = 2/5 · 3/1 = 2 · 3/5 · 1 = 6/5
Dividing two fractions is the same as multiplying the first fraction by the reciprocal value of the second fraction. The first sub-step is to find the reciprocal (reverse the numerator and denominator, reciprocal of 1/3 is 3/1) of the second fraction. Next, multiply the two numerators. Then, multiply the two denominators. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, two fifths divided by one third equals six 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
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:
- The board
The board is 22 inches long. If he cuts the board into 8 equal pieces, how long will each piece be?
- Frank's
Frank's mom baked several pies and cut them, so each slice is 1/16 of a pie. Frank plans to eat 8 5/8 pies. How many slices will frank eat?
- Blue silk
There are four rolls of blue silk. Each roll holds 6 3/4 yd of silk. It takes 3/5 of a yard to make one necktie. How many neckties can be made from the four rolls of blue silk?
- Golf balls
Of the 28 golf balls, 1/7 are yellow. How many golf balls are yellow? Use the model to help you. Enter your answer in the box.
- The rope 2
The rope in the school gym is 10 ½ feet long. Coach Hill tied a knot in the rope every ¾ foot to make climbing easier. How many knots are in the rope?
- Bookshelf 3
How many 1/35-inch thick books can fit on a 1 4/12-inch long bookshelf?
- Chester
Chester has a piece of wood measuring 1 2/3 cm. He needs to cut it into pieces measuring 3/4 cm long. How many pieces of wood did Chester cut?
more math problems »
Last Modified: August 28, 2025