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:

5 3/4 - 2 1/4 = 7/2 = 3 1/2 = 3.5

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

How do we solve fractions step by step?

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

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 5 by the denominator 4. Whole number 5 equally 5 * 4/4 = 20/4
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 4.

Five and three quarters is twenty-three quarters.
Conversion a mixed number 2 1/4 to a improper fraction: 2 1/4 = 2 1/4 = 2 · 4 + 1/4 = 8 + 1/4 = 9/4

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 1. New numerator is 8 + 1 = 9
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 9) over the denominator 4.

Two and one quarter is nine quarters.
Subtract: 23/4 - 9/4 = 23 - 9/4 = 14/4 = 2 · 7/2 · 2 = 7/2
Both fractions have the same denominator, which is then the common denominator in the subtracting them. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 2 gives 7/2.
In other words, twenty-three quarters minus nine quarters equals seven 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.