Fraction calculator

This fraction calculator performs all fraction operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division — and evaluates expressions with fractions. Each calculation includes detailed step-by-step explanations.

The result:

8 1/4 - 3 2/5 - (2 1/3 - 1/4) = 83/30 = 2 23/30 ≅ 2.7666667

Spelled out: eighty-three thirtieths (or two and twenty-three thirtieths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

Conversion a mixed number 8 1/4 to a improper fraction: 8 1/4 = 8 1/4 = 8 · 4 + 1/4 = 32 + 1/4 = 33/4

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 8 by the denominator 4. Whole number 8 equally 8 * 4/4 = 32/4
b) Add the answer from the previous step 32 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 32 + 1 = 33
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 33) over the denominator 4.

Eight and one quarter is thirty-three quarters.
Conversion a mixed number 3 2/5 to a improper fraction: 3 2/5 = 3 2/5 = 3 · 5 + 2/5 = 15 + 2/5 = 17/5

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 3 by the denominator 5. Whole number 3 equally 3 * 5/5 = 15/5
b) Add the answer from the previous step 15 to the numerator 2. New numerator is 15 + 2 = 17
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 17) over the denominator 5.

Three and two fifths is seventeen fifths.
Subtract: 33/4 - 17/5 = 33 · 5/4 · 5 - 17 · 4/5 · 4 = 165/20 - 68/20 = 165 - 68/20 = 97/20
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(4, 5) = 20. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 4 × 5 = 20. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, thirty-three quarters minus seventeen fifths equals ninety-seven twentieths.
Conversion a mixed number 2 1/3 to a improper fraction: 2 1/3 = 2 1/3 = 2 · 3 + 1/3 = 6 + 1/3 = 7/3

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 2 by the denominator 3. Whole number 2 equally 2 * 3/3 = 6/3
b) Add the answer from the previous step 6 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 6 + 1 = 7
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 7) over the denominator 3.

Two and one third is seven thirds.
Subtract: 7/3 - 1/4 = 7 · 4/3 · 4 - 1 · 3/4 · 3 = 28/12 - 3/12 = 28 - 3/12 = 25/12
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(3, 4) = 12. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 3 × 4 = 12. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, seven thirds minus one quarter equals twenty-five twelfths.
Subtract: the result of step No. 3 - the result of step No. 5 = 97/20 - 25/12 = 97 · 3/20 · 3 - 25 · 5/12 · 5 = 291/60 - 125/60 = 291 - 125/60 = 166/60 = 2 · 83/2 · 30 = 83/30
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(20, 12) = 60. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 20 × 12 = 240. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 2 gives 83/30.
In other words, ninety-seven twentieths minus twenty-five twelfths equals eighty-three thirtieths.

Rules for expressions with fractions:

Fractions - Use a forward slash to separate the numerator and denominator. For example, for five-hundredths, enter 5/100.

Mixed numbers Leave one space between the whole number and the fraction part, and use a forward slash for the fraction. For example, enter 1 2/3 . For negative mixed numbers, write the negative sign before the whole number, such as -5 1/2.

Division of fractions - Since the forward slash is used for both fraction lines and division, use a colon (:) to divide fractions. For example, to divide 1/2 by 1/3, enter 1/2 : 1/3.

Decimals Enter decimal numbers using a decimal point (.), and they will be automatically converted to fractions. For example, enter 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)

Order of Operations

Ever wondered why calculators don't just work left to right? This calculator follows the mathematical order of operations — a set of rules that ensures everyone solves expressions the same way, every time.

Popular Memory Tricks

Different regions use different mnemonics to remember this order:

* 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 (parentheses, brackets, braces: (){}), Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction

The Golden Rules

Rule 1: Multiplication and division always come before addition and subtraction. Think of them as the VIPs that skip to the front of the line!

Rule 2: When operations have equal priority (like × and ÷, or + and −), work from left to right—just like reading a book.

Rule 3: Parentheses change the natural order of evaluation of operations.