Fraction calculator
This calculator subtracts two fractions. First, convert all fractions to a common denominator when fractions have different denominators. Find Least Common Denominator (LCD) or multiply all denominators to find a common denominator. When all denominators are the same, simply subtract 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 - 1/3 = 7/15 ≅ 0.4666667
The spelled result in words is seven fifteenths.How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Subtract: 4/5 - 1/3 = 4 · 3/5 · 3 - 1 · 5/3 · 5 = 12/15 - 5/15 = 12 - 5/15 = 7/15
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, 3) = 15. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 5 × 3 = 15. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words - four fifths minus one third is seven fifteenths.
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
| Op | 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) |
See practise with fractions »
Last Modified: December 30, 2024
