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:

3 1/8 - 1 1/2 = 13/8 = 1 5/8 = 1.625

The spelled result in words is thirteen eighths (or one and five eighths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 3 1/8 to a improper fraction: 3 1/8 = 3 1/8 = 3 · 8 + 1/8 = 24 + 1/8 = 25/8

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 3 by the denominator 8. Whole number 3 equally 3 * 8/8 = 24/8
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 24 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 24 + 1 = 25
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 25) over the denominator 8.

    Three and one eighth is twenty-five eighths.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 1 1/2 to a improper fraction: 1 1/2 = 1 1/2 = 1 · 2 + 1/2 = 2 + 1/2 = 3/2

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 1 by the denominator 2. Whole number 1 equally 1 * 2/2 = 2/2
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 2 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 2 + 1 = 3
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 3) over the denominator 2.

    One and one half is three halfs.
  3. Subtract: 25/8 - 3/2 = 25/8 - 3 · 4/2 · 4 = 25/8 - 12/8 = 25 - 12/8 = 13/8
    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(8, 2) = 8. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 8 × 2 = 16. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words - twenty-five eighths minus three halfs is thirteen eighths.

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


OpSymbol 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)

See practise with fractions »

Last Modified: September 8, 2024