Fraction calculator

This fraction calculator performs all fraction operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and evaluates expressions with fractions. It also shows detailed step-by-step information.

The result:

3 2/3 - 5 5/9 = -17/9 = -1 8/9 ≅ -1.8888889

The result spelled out in words is minus seventeen ninths (or minus one and eight ninths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

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.
Conversion a mixed number 5 5/9 to a improper fraction: 5 5/9 = 5 5/9 = 5 · 9 + 5/9 = 45 + 5/9 = 50/9

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 5 by the denominator 9. Whole number 5 equally 5 * 9/9 = 45/9
b) Add the answer from the previous step 45 to the numerator 5. New numerator is 45 + 5 = 50
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 50) over the denominator 9.

Five and five ninths is fifty ninths.
Subtract: 11/3 - 50/9 = 11 · 3/3 · 3 - 50/9 = 33/9 - 50/9 = 33 - 50/9 = -17/9
It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal) denominator for subtracting fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(3, 9) = 9. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 3 × 9 = 27. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, eleven thirds minus fifty ninths equals minus seventeen ninths.

Rules for expressions with fractions:

Fractions - write a forward slash to separate the numerator and 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 whole part and fraction and use a forward slash to input fraction i.e., 1 2/3 . A negative mixed fraction write for example as -5 1/2.
A slash is both a sign for fraction line and division, use a colon (:) for division fractions i.e., 1/2 : 1/3.
Decimals (decimal numbers) enter with a decimal dot . 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)

The calculator follows well-known rules for the order of operations. The most common mnemonics for remembering this order are:

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 (brackets: (){}), Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
MDAS: Multiplication and Division (same precedence), Addition and Subtraction (same precedence). MDAS is a subset of PEMDAS.

Important Notes:
1. Multiplication/Division vs. Addition/Subtraction: Always perform multiplication and division *before* addition and subtraction.
2. Left-to-Right Rule: Operators with the same precedence (e.g., + and -, or * and /) must be evaluated from left to right.