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:
3/5 ÷ 1/2 = 6/5 = 1 1/5 = 1.2
Spelled out: six fifths (or one and one fifth).How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Divide: 3/5 : 1/2 = 3/5 · 2/1 = 3 · 2/5 · 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 1/2 is 2/1) of the second fraction. Next, multiply the two numerators. Then, multiply the two denominators. In the following intermediate step, the fraction cannot be simplified further by cancelling.
In other words, three fifths divided by one half equals six fifths.
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
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.
Rule 3: Parentheses change the natural order of evaluation of operations.
Fractions in word problems:
- In the cafeteria
There are 18 students in Jacob's homeroom. Six students bring their lunch to school. The rest eat lunch in the cafeteria. In the simplest form, what fraction of students eat lunch in the cafeteria? - Recipical fraction
Calculate 5/9 divided by 8/5. Also state the reciprocal of the result. - Last Friday
3/4 of the children were present at school last Friday. If 90 children were present, how many were absent? - My whole
My whole number is 88 if you add 5 thousandths, 8 tenths, and 7 thousandths. What number will I be? - There 27
There are 24 colored cubes in a box. Three-quarters of the cubes are red, four of the cubes are blue, and the rest are green. How many green cubes are in the box? One more blue cube got put into the box. What fraction of the cubes in the box are blue? - Adding mixed fractions
Add these two mixed numbers: 1 5/6 + 2 2/11= - A newspaper's
A newspaper's cover page is 3/8 text, and photographs fill the rest. If 2/5 of the text is an article about endangered species, what fraction of the whole cover page is the article about endangered species?
more math problems »
Last Modified: May 8, 2026
