Fraction calculator
This calculator subtracts two fractions. When fractions have the same denominators calculator simply subtracts the numerators and place the result over the common denominator. Then simplify the result to the lowest terms or a mixed number.
The result:
4/5 - 2/5 = 2/5 = 0.4
Spelled result in words is two fifths.How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Subtract: 4/5 - 2/5 = 4 - 2/5 = 2/5
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(5, 5) = 5. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 5 × 5 = 25. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words - four fifths minus two fifths is two fifths.
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
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
• multiplying a fraction by a whole number: 6 * 3/4
• square root of a fraction: sqrt(1/16)
• reducing or simplifying the fraction (simplification) - dividing the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same non-zero number - equivalent fraction: 4/22
• 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 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 evaluate from left to right.
Fractions in word problems:
- Peter's calculation
Peter wrote the following: 7 1/4 - 3 3/4 = 4 2/4 = 4 1/2 . Is Peter's calculation correct? Using words (math vocabulary) and numbers to explain why he is correct or incorrect.
- A man 9
A man earns $2400 in his monthly salary. He spends 3/5 of his salary on food and rent. This month he decided to buy his family presents. What fraction of his money does he spend on presents?
- The bread 2
Sandra and Tylar baked two loaves of bread. On Monday, they ate 1/2 of one loaf. On Tuesday, they ate 1/3 of one loaf of bread. How much bread is left?
- Fraction expression
Which expression is equivalent to : Minus 9 minus left parenthesis minus 4 start fraction 1 divided by 3 end fraction right parenthesis
- Flags 2
1/4 are white and another 1/4 are yellow. What fraction of the flags are either white or yellow?
- Unload truck
Andy has just moved and is beginning to unload his boxes. The truck is currently 11/12 of the way full. He unloads 1/4 more of it. How much more does he have to unload?
- A less than B
What is 3/5 less than 11/12? (Answer should be in proper or improper only: Example 1/2, -1/2, 3/2, and -3/2)
- Cherries 2
If a farmer reaped 636 cherries and he sold one-third to a shopkeeper, how many did he retain?
- Difference of two fractions
What is the difference between 1/2 and 1/6? (Write the answer as a fraction in the lowest terms. )
- A cake
A cake has 46 slices. Harry ate 16 slices, and Jack ate 26 slices, Dave ate 0 & Mary ate 1 slice. What fraction of the cake is remaining?
- Terrell
Terrell goes apple-picking. He uses 3/10 of his apples. Then he uses 5/10. What fraction of his apples does he have left?
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