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:

5 1/3 - 3 5/6 = 3/2 = 1 1/2 = 1.5

The result spelled out in words is three halves (or one and a half).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

Conversion a mixed number 5 1/3 to a improper fraction: 5 1/3 = 5 1/3 = 5 · 3 + 1/3 = 15 + 1/3 = 16/3

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 5 by the denominator 3. Whole number 5 equally 5 * 3/3 = 15/3
b) Add the answer from the previous step 15 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 15 + 1 = 16
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 16) over the denominator 3.

Five and one third is sixteen thirds.
Conversion a mixed number 3 5/6 to a improper fraction: 3 5/6 = 3 5/6 = 3 · 6 + 5/6 = 18 + 5/6 = 23/6

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 3 by the denominator 6. Whole number 3 equally 3 * 6/6 = 18/6
b) Add the answer from the previous step 18 to the numerator 5. New numerator is 18 + 5 = 23
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 23) over the denominator 6.

Three and five sixths is twenty-three sixths.
Subtract: 16/3 - 23/6 = 16 · 2/3 · 2 - 23/6 = 32/6 - 23/6 = 32 - 23/6 = 9/6 = 3 · 3/3 · 2 = 3/2
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(3, 6) = 6. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 3 × 6 = 18. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 3 gives 3/2.
In other words, sixteen thirds minus twenty-three sixths equals three halves.

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

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)

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.