Fraction calculator
This calculator subtracts two fractions. First, convert all fractions to a common denominator when fractions have different denominators. Find Least Common Denominator (LCD) or multiply all denominators to find a common denominator. When all denominators are the same, simply subtract the numerators and place the result over the common denominator. Then simplify the result to the lowest terms or a mixed number.
The result:
3/4 - 2/6 = 5/12 ≅ 0.4166667
Spelled result in words is five twelfths.How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Subtract: 3/4 - 2/6 = 3 · 3/4 · 3 - 2 · 2/6 · 2 = 9/12 - 4/12 = 9 - 4/12 = 5/12
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(4, 6) = 12. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 4 × 6 = 24. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words - three quarters minus two sixths is five twelfths.
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
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
• multiplying a fraction by a whole number: 6 * 3/4
• square root of a fraction: sqrt(1/16)
• reducing or simplifying the fraction (simplification) : 4/22 - dividing the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same non-zero number - equivalent fraction
• 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 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.
Fractions in word problems:
- Peter's calculation
Peter wrote the following: 7 1/4 - 3 3/4 = 4 2/4 = 4 1/2 . Is Peter's calculation correct? Using words (math vocabulary) and numbers to explain why he is correct or incorrect. - A man 9
A man earns $2400 in his monthly salary. He spends 3/5 of his salary on food and rent. This month he decided to buy his family presents. What fraction of his money does he spend on presents? - The recipe
The recipe they are following requires 7/8 cups of milk. Tom already put 3/8 cups of milk. How much milk should Lea add to follow the recipe? - Marbles 82374
How many marbles do I have if I am missing a fifth of 15 marbles? - Mr. Vandar
Mr. Vandar washed 1/4 of his laundry. His son washed 2/7 of it. Who washed most of the laundry? How much of the laundry still needs to be washed? - King
King had four sons. First inherit 1/2, second 1/4, third 1/5 of property. What part of the property was left to the last of the brothers? - You have 4
You have eaten ⅔ of a pizza. Your friend eats what is left. How much of the original pizza is left? - Flags 2
1/4 are white and another 1/4 are yellow. What fraction of the flags are either white or yellow? - A less than B
What is 3/5 less than 11/12? (Answer should be in proper or improper only: Example 1/2, -1/2, 3/2, and -3/2) - Shopper
Eva spent 1/4 in one store and 1/3 in another. What fraction is left? - Fraction subtraction
Find the difference. Reduce the answer to the simplest form: 1.) ¾ - 1/8 = 2.) ½ - 1/8 = 3.) ½ - 1/6 = 4.) 7/8 - ¾ = 5.) 1/5 - 1/10 - The cat
The cat starts with 4/6 of a cup in his bowl. It eats 1/4 of a cup of food. How much food is left? - Students 4252
Out of 35 pupils in class 15, they went on a trip. What part of the students went on a journey, and what remained at school? - Sadie
Sadie practiced her spelling words for 3/4 of an hour, and Max practiced his spelling words for 5/12 of an hour. In the simplest form, how much longer did Sadie practice than Max? - 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?
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