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 informations.

The result:

2 5/6 * 4 1/2 = 51/4 = 12 3/4 = 12.75

The spelled result in words is fifty-one quarters (or twelve and three quarters).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 2 5/6 to a improper fraction: 2 5/6 = 2 5/6 = 2 · 6 + 5/6 = 12 + 5/6 = 17/6

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 2 by the denominator 6. Whole number 2 equally 2 * 6/6 = 12/6
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 12 to the numerator 5. New numerator is 12 + 5 = 17
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 17) over the denominator 6.

    Two and five sixths is seventeen sixths.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 4 1/2 to a improper fraction: 4 1/2 = 4 1/2 = 4 · 2 + 1/2 = 8 + 1/2 = 9/2

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 4 by the denominator 2. Whole number 4 equally 4 * 2/2 = 8/2
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 8 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 8 + 1 = 9
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 9) over the denominator 2.

    Four and one half is nine halfs.
  3. Multiple: 17/6 * 9/2 = 17 · 9/6 · 2 = 153/12 = 51 · 3/4 · 3 = 51/4
    Multiply both numerators and denominators. Result fraction keep to lowest possible denominator GCD(153, 12) = 3. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 3 gives 51/4.
    In other words - seventeen sixths multiplied by nine halfs is fifty-one quarters.

Rules for expressions with fractions:

Fractions - use a forward slash to divide the numerator by 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 integer and
fraction and use a forward slash to input fractions i.e., 1 2/3 . An example of a negative mixed fraction: -5 1/2.
Because slash is both sign for fraction line and division, use a colon (:) as the operator of division fractions i.e., 1/2 : 1/3.
Decimals (decimal numbers) enter with a decimal point . 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 of operations are:
PEMDAS - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
BEDMAS - Brackets, Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction
BODMAS - Brackets, Of or Order, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
GEMDAS - Grouping Symbols - brackets (){}, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
MDAS - Multiplication and Division have the same precedence over Addition and Subtraction. The MDAS rule is the order of operations part of the PEMDAS rule.
Be careful; always do multiplication and division before addition and subtraction. Some operators (+ and -) and (* and /) have the same priority and must be evaluated from left to right.


Last Modified: October 9, 2024