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:

5/6 - 1/2 = 1/3 ≅ 0.3333333

Spelled result in words is one third.

How do we solve fractions step by step?

Subtract: 5/6 - 1/2 = 5/6 - 1 · 3/2 · 3 = 5/6 - 3/6 = 5 - 3/6 = 2/6 = 2 · 1/2 · 3 = 1/3
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(6, 2) = 6. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 6 × 2 = 12. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 2 gives 1/3.
In other words - five sixths minus one half is one third.

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)