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, simply 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:
7/8 - 1/2 = 3/8 = 0.375
Spelled result in words is three eighths.How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Subtract: 7/8 - 1/2 = 7/8 - 1 · 4/2 · 4 = 7/8 - 4/8 = 7 - 4/8 = 3/8
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, 2) = 8. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 8 × 2 = 16. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words - seven eighths minus one half is three eighths.
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) |
Fractions in word problems:
- Simplify 12
Simplify {1/3 + 1/12} ÷ {2/3 - 5/8}
- Oranges
There are 50 oranges in a bag. If ten of these oranges are bad, what fraction of them are good?
- In fractions
An ant climbs 2/5 of the pole in the first hour and climbs 1/4 of the pole in the next hour. What part of the pole does the ant climb in two hours?
- Brown or black
Max has 13 pairs of socks. From this, six pairs are blue, three pairs are brown, two are black, and two are white. What fraction of Max's socks are either brown or black?
- Puzzle game
In a letter puzzle game, John can use every alphabet only once. He used only 8 alphabets to solve the puzzle. What fraction of the 26 alphabets did he use? Express your answer as a fraction in the simplest form.
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