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, 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:

5/8 + 2/3 = 31/24 = 1 7/24 ≅ 1.2916667

Spelled result in words is thirty-one twenty-fourths (or one and seven twenty-fourths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

Add: 5/8 + 2/3 = 5 · 3/8 · 3 + 2 · 8/3 · 8 = 15/24 + 16/24 = 15 + 16/24 = 31/24
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(8, 3) = 24. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 8 × 3 = 24. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words - five eighths plus two thirds is thirty-one twenty-fourths.

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)