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 5/8 + 2 3/4 = 59/8 = 7 3/8 = 7.375

The result spelled out in words is fifty-nine eighths (or seven and three eighths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 4 5/8 to a improper fraction: 4 5/8 = 4 5/8 = 4 · 8 + 5/8 = 32 + 5/8 = 37/8

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 4 by the denominator 8. Whole number 4 equally 4 * 8/8 = 32/8
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 32 to the numerator 5. New numerator is 32 + 5 = 37
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 37) over the denominator 8.

    Four and five eighths is thirty-seven eighths.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 2 3/4 to a improper fraction: 2 3/4 = 2 3/4 = 2 · 4 + 3/4 = 8 + 3/4 = 11/4

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 2 by the denominator 4. Whole number 2 equally 2 * 4/4 = 8/4
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 8 to the numerator 3. New numerator is 8 + 3 = 11
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 11) over the denominator 4.

    Two and three quarters is eleven quarters.
  3. Add: 37/8 + 11/4 = 37/8 + 11 · 2/4 · 2 = 37/8 + 22/8 = 37 + 22/8 = 59/8
    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(8, 4) = 8. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 8 × 4 = 32. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, thirty-seven eighths plus eleven quarters equals fifty-nine eighths.

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


OpSymbol 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 12, 2025