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 5/6 - 6 1/6 = -1/3 ≅ -0.3333333
The result spelled out in words is minus one third.How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Conversion a mixed number 5 5/6 to a improper fraction: 5 5/6 = 5 5/6 = 5 · 6 + 5/6 = 30 + 5/6 = 35/6
To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 5 by the denominator 6. Whole number 5 equally 5 * 6/6 = 30/6
b) Add the answer from the previous step 30 to the numerator 5. New numerator is 30 + 5 = 35
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 35) over the denominator 6.
Five and five sixths is thirty-five sixths. - Conversion a mixed number 6 1/6 to a improper fraction: 6 1/6 = 6 1/6 = 6 · 6 + 1/6 = 36 + 1/6 = 37/6
To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 6 by the denominator 6. Whole number 6 equally 6 * 6/6 = 36/6
b) Add the answer from the previous step 36 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 36 + 1 = 37
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 37) over the denominator 6.
Six and one sixth is thirty-seven sixths. - Subtract: 35/6 - 37/6 = 35 - 37/6 = -2/6 = 2 · -1/2 · 3 = -1/3
Both fractions have the same denominator, which is then the common denominator in the subtracting them. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, thirty-five sixths minus thirty-seven sixths equals minus one third.
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) |
Examples:
• adding fractions: 2/4 + 3/4• subtracting fractions: 2/3 - 1/2
• multiplying fractions: 7/8 * 3/9
• dividing Fractions: 1/2 : 3/4
• reciprocal of a fraction: 1 : 3/4
• square of a fraction: 2/3 ^ 2
• cube of a fraction: 2/3 ^ 3
• exponentiation of a fraction: 1/2 ^ 4
• fractional exponents: 16 ^ 1/2
• adding fractions and mixed numbers: 8/5 + 6 2/7
• dividing integer and fraction: 5 ÷ 1/2
• complex fractions: 5/8 : 2 2/3
• decimal to fraction: 0.625
• Fraction to Decimal: 1/4
• Fraction to Percent: 1/8 %
• comparing fractions: 1/4 2/3
• square root of a fraction: sqrt(1/16)
• expression with brackets: 1/3 * (1/2 - 3 3/8)
• compound fraction: 3/4 of 5/7
• fractions multiple: 2/3 of 3/5
• divide to find the quotient: 3/5÷2/3
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.
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.
Fractions in word problems:
- A less than B
What is 3/5 less than 11/12? (Answer should be in proper or improper only: Example 1/2, -1/2, 3/2, and -3/2)
- Closer to one
Here are two sums: A=1/2 + 1/3 and B=1/5 + 1/3. Which of the two sums is closer in value to 1? You must show your work and state clearly whether the answer is A or B.
- Shopping 7
I went into a shop with 210.00 and spent 1/7 of it on eggs and 1/2 of it on fruits. How much did I have left?
- Attending school
Huang lives 1/4 of a mile from school, while Lily lives 2/3 of a mile from school. How much further does Lily live from school than Huang?
- Benson
Benson spends ⅓ of his pocket money on transport and ⅔ on food I. What fraction of his pocket money did he spend on transport and food? ii. What fraction is left?
- The bucket
Anna and Joey share an 18-ounce bucket of clay. By the end of the week, Anna has used 1/3 of the bucket, and Joey has used 2/3 of the bucket of clay. How many ounces are left in the bucket?
- Ahsan
Ahsan has a large pizza. He gives 1/3 to his sister and 1/4 to his mother. What fraction of the pizza does Ahsan have left?
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Last Modified: May 12, 2025