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 3/4 - 2 1/5 = 31/20 = 1 11/20 = 1.55

The spelled result in words is thirty-one twentieths (or one and eleven twentieths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 3 3/4 to a improper fraction: 3 3/4 = 3 3/4 = 3 · 4 + 3/4 = 12 + 3/4 = 15/4

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 3 by the denominator 4. Whole number 3 equally 3 * 4/4 = 12/4
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 12 to the numerator 3. New numerator is 12 + 3 = 15
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 15) over the denominator 4.

    Three and three quarters is fifteen quarters.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 2 1/5 to a improper fraction: 2 1/5 = 2 1/5 = 2 · 5 + 1/5 = 10 + 1/5 = 11/5

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 2 by the denominator 5. Whole number 2 equally 2 * 5/5 = 10/5
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 10 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 10 + 1 = 11
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 11) over the denominator 5.

    Two and one fifth is eleven fifths.
  3. Subtract: 15/4 - 11/5 = 15 · 5/4 · 5 - 11 · 4/5 · 4 = 75/20 - 44/20 = 75 - 44/20 = 31/20
    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(4, 5) = 20. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 4 × 5 = 20. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words - fifteen quarters minus eleven fifths is thirty-one twentieths.

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: October 9, 2024