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 information.

The result:

4 3/5 + 7 1/2 = 121/10 = 12 1/10 = 12.1

The spelled result in words is one hundred twenty-one tenths (or twelve and one tenth).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 4 3/5 to a improper fraction: 4 3/5 = 4 3/5 = 4 · 5 + 3/5 = 20 + 3/5 = 23/5

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 4 by the denominator 5. Whole number 4 equally 4 * 5/5 = 20/5
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 20 to the numerator 3. New numerator is 20 + 3 = 23
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 23) over the denominator 5.

    Four and three fifths is twenty-three fifths.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 7 1/2 to a improper fraction: 7 1/2 = 7 1/2 = 7 · 2 + 1/2 = 14 + 1/2 = 15/2

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 7 by the denominator 2. Whole number 7 equally 7 * 2/2 = 14/2
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 14 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 14 + 1 = 15
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 15) over the denominator 2.

    Seven and one half is fifteen halfs.
  3. Add: 23/5 + 15/2 = 23 · 2/5 · 2 + 15 · 5/2 · 5 = 46/10 + 75/10 = 46 + 75/10 = 121/10
    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, 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 - twenty-three fifths plus fifteen halfs is one hundred twenty-one 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


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: December 30, 2024