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 4/5 + 8 1/3 - 23/4 = 503/60 = 8 23/608.3833333

The result spelled out in words is five hundred three sixtieths (or eight and twenty-three sixtieths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 5 4/5 to a improper fraction: 5 4/5 = 5 4/5 = 5 · 5 + 4/5 = 25 + 4/5 = 29/5

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 5 by the denominator 5. Whole number 5 equally 5 * 5/5 = 25/5
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 25 to the numerator 4. New numerator is 25 + 4 = 29
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 29) over the denominator 5.

    Five and four fifths is twenty-nine fifths.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 8 1/3 to a improper fraction: 8 1/3 = 8 1/3 = 8 · 3 + 1/3 = 24 + 1/3 = 25/3

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 8 by the denominator 3. Whole number 8 equally 8 * 3/3 = 24/3
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 24 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 24 + 1 = 25
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 25) over the denominator 3.

    Eight and one third is twenty-five thirds.
  3. Add: 29/5 + 25/3 = 29 · 3/5 · 3 + 25 · 5/3 · 5 = 87/15 + 125/15 = 87 + 125/15 = 212/15
    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(5, 3) = 15. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 5 × 3 = 15. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, twenty-nine fifths plus twenty-five thirds equals two hundred twelve fifteenths.
  4. Subtract: the result of step No. 3 - 23/4 = 212/15 - 23/4 = 212 · 4/15 · 4 - 23 · 15/4 · 15 = 848/60 - 345/60 = 848 - 345/60 = 503/60
    It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal) denominator for subtracting fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(15, 4) = 60. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 15 × 4 = 60. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, two hundred twelve fifteenths minus twenty-three quarters equals five hundred three sixtieths.

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


SymbolSymbol 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 10, 2025