Fraction calculator
This calculator adds two fractions. First, all fractions are converted to a common denominator when they have different denominators. To do this, find the Least Common Denominator (LCD) or multiply all denominators to determine a common denominator. Once all denominators are the same, add the numerators and place the result over the common denominator. Finally, simplify the result to its lowest terms or convert it to a mixed number.
The result:
4/5 + 1/2 = 13/10 = 1 3/10 = 1.3
The result spelled out in words is thirteen tenths (or one and three tenths).How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Add: 4/5 + 1/2 = 4 · 2/5 · 2 + 1 · 5/2 · 5 = 8/10 + 5/10 = 8 + 5/10 = 13/10
It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal) denominator for adding fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(5, 2) = 10. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 5 × 2 = 10. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, four fifths plus one half equals thirteen tenths.
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) |
Examples:
• adding fractions: 2/4 + 3/4• subtracting fractions: 2/3 - 1/2
• multiplying fractions: 7/8 * 3/9
• dividing Fractions: 1/2 : 3/4
• reciprocal of a fraction: 1 : 3/4
• square of a fraction: 2/3 ^ 2
• cube of a fraction: 2/3 ^ 3
• exponentiation of a fraction: 1/2 ^ 4
• fractional exponents: 16 ^ 1/2
• adding fractions and mixed numbers: 8/5 + 6 2/7
• dividing integer and fraction: 5 ÷ 1/2
• complex fractions: 5/8 : 2 2/3
• decimal to fraction: 0.625
• Fraction to Decimal: 1/4
• Fraction to Percent: 1/8 %
• comparing fractions: 1/4 2/3
• square root of a fraction: sqrt(1/16)
• expression with brackets: 1/3 * (1/2 - 3 3/8)
• compound fraction: 3/4 of 5/7
• fractions multiple: 2/3 of 3/5
• divide to find the quotient: 3/5÷2/3
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.
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.
Fractions in word problems:
- The bucket
Anna and Joey share an 18-ounce bucket of clay. By the end of the week, Anna has used 1/3 of the bucket, and Joey has used 2/3 of the bucket of clay. How many ounces are left in the bucket? - Rica has
Rica has 3 pieces of lace, each measuring 1/7 meter, 5/14 meter, and 3/7 meter. How long are the pieces of lace together? - The numerator
The numerator of the fraction is 5 more than its denominator. If 4 is added to the numerator and denominator, the fraction obtained is 6/5. What is that fraction? - Katelyn
Katelyn ate ⅓ of an apple pie, and Chad ate ⅜ of the same pie. What fraction of the pie was eaten? - Maximo
Maximo had 4/6 of a pancake. Kayla gave him another 5/6 of a similar pancake. How many pancakes did Maximo have in the end? - Sleeping time
Nicholas took a nap for 4/5 hours, played video games for 3/4 hours, and then took another nap for 2/5 hours. How many hours did Nicholas sleep? - Circular garden
Alice creates a circular vegetable garden. Tomatoes are planted in 1/3 of the circular garden, carrots are planted in 2/5 of the circular garden, and green peppers are planted in 1/10 of the circular garden. What fraction represents the remaining unplante
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Last Modified: August 28, 2025
