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:
2.5 5/2 = 2 1/2
The result spelled out in words is five halves (or two and a half). =How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Conversion a decimal number to a fraction: 2.5 = 25/10 = 5/2
a) Write down the decimal 2.5 divided by 1: 2.5 = 2.5/1
b) Multiply both top and bottom by 10 for every number after the decimal point. (For example, if there are two numbers after the decimal point, then use 100, if there are three then use 1000, etc.)
2.5/1 = 25/10
Note: 25/10 is called a decimal fraction.
c) Simplify and reduce the fraction
25/10 = 5 * 5/2 * 5 = 5* 5/2* 5= 5/2
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:
- Fraction and a decimal
Write as a fraction and a decimal. One and two plus three and five hundredths
- A chocolate 2
A chocolate cake is cut into twelve equal pieces. Mr. Greedy eats five pieces at break time with his mug of tea. What fraction of the cake is left?
- Work out 2
Work out the sum of 2/6 and 1/6. Give your answer in its simplest form.
- One-fifth
What is 1/5 as a decimal? Round your answer to three decimal places.
- You have 2
You have 6/13 of a pie. If you share 9/10, how much will you have left?
- Party pizza
At a party, there were some pizzas of the same size. Amelia ate 1/3 of a pizza. Chris ate 1/3 of a pizza. Miguel ate 5/12 of a pizza. How many pizzas did the three children eat?
- Trent
Trent operates a hot dog stand. On Wednesday, he used two bags of hot dog buns. On Thursday, he used 1/5 as many hot dog buns as Wednesday. How many bags of hot dog buns Trent used on Thursday?
more math problems »
Last Modified: April 16, 2025