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 2/3 + 2 1/7 = 122/21 = 5 17/215.8095238

The spelled result in words is one hundred twenty-two twenty-firsts (or five and seventeen twenty-firsts).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 3 2/3 to a improper fraction: 3 2/3 = 3 2/3 = 3 · 3 + 2/3 = 9 + 2/3 = 11/3

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 3 by the denominator 3. Whole number 3 equally 3 * 3/3 = 9/3
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 9 to the numerator 2. New numerator is 9 + 2 = 11
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 11) over the denominator 3.

    Three and two thirds is eleven thirds.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 2 1/7 to a improper fraction: 2 1/7 = 2 1/7 = 2 · 7 + 1/7 = 14 + 1/7 = 15/7

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 2 by the denominator 7. Whole number 2 equally 2 * 7/7 = 14/7
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 14 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 14 + 1 = 15
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 15) over the denominator 7.

    Two and one seventh is fifteen sevenths.
  3. Add: 11/3 + 15/7 = 11 · 7/3 · 7 + 15 · 3/7 · 3 = 77/21 + 45/21 = 77 + 45/21 = 122/21
    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(3, 7) = 21. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 3 × 7 = 21. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words - eleven thirds plus fifteen sevenths is one hundred twenty-two twenty-firsts.

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


SymbolSymbol 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)

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.


Last Modified: September 8, 2024