Fraction calculator
This calculator subtracts two fractions. When fractions have the same denominators calculator simply subtracts the numerators and place the result over the common denominator. Then simplify the result to the lowest terms or a mixed number.
The result:
3/5 - 1/5 = 2/5 = 0.4
Spelled result in words is two fifths.How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Subtract: 3/5 - 1/5 = 3 - 1/5 = 2/5
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(5, 5) = 5. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 5 × 5 = 25. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words - three fifths minus one fifth is two fifths.
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
Op | 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) |
Fractions in word problems:
- Children 9
There are 11 children in a room. Six of the children are girls. What fraction of the children are girls? - Mathew
Mathew has eight pencils. Three of them do not have erasers on end. What fraction of the pencils do not have erasers on end? - Out 550,000.00
Out of 550,000.00, an amount of 325,000.00 was used. What fraction of the total amount was used? - Zdeněk
Zdeněk picked up 15 l of water from a 100-liter full-water barrel. Write a fraction of what part of Zdeněk's water he picked.
more math problems »