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:

4 2/3/1/2 = 7/3 = 2 1/32.3333333

The result spelled out in words is seven thirds (or two and one third).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 4 2/3 to a improper fraction: 4 2/3 = 4 2/3 = 4 · 3 + 2/3 = 12 + 2/3 = 14/3

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 4 by the denominator 3. Whole number 4 equally 4 * 3/3 = 12/3
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 12 to the numerator 2. New numerator is 12 + 2 = 14
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 14) over the denominator 3.

    Four and two thirds is fourteen thirds.
  2. Divide: 14/3 : 1 = 14/3 · 1/1 = 14 · 1/3 · 1 = 14/3
    The second operand is an integer. It is equivalent to the fraction 1/1. Dividing two fractions is the same as multiplying the first fraction by the reciprocal value of the second fraction. The first sub-step is to find the reciprocal (reverse the numerator and denominator, reciprocal of 1/1 is 1/1) of the second fraction. Next, multiply the two numerators. Then, multiply the two denominators. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, fourteen thirds divided by one equals fourteen thirds.
  3. Divide: the result of step No. 2 : 2 = 14/3 : 2 = 14/3 · 1/2 = 14 · 1/3 · 2 = 14/6 = 2 · 7 /2 · 3 = 7/3
    The second operand is an integer. It is equivalent to the fraction 2/1. Dividing two fractions is the same as multiplying the first fraction by the reciprocal value of the second fraction. The first sub-step is to find the reciprocal (reverse the numerator and denominator, reciprocal of 2/1 is 1/2) of the second fraction. Next, multiply the two numerators. Then, multiply the two denominators. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 2 gives 7/3.
    In other words, fourteen thirds divided by two equals seven thirds.

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


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 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.

Last Modified: May 10, 2025