Mixed number calculator

This calculator performs basic and advanced operations with mixed numbers, fractions, integers, and decimals. Mixed numbers are also called mixed fractions. A mixed number is a whole number and a proper fraction combined, i.e. one and three-quarters. The calculator evaluates the expression or solves the equation with step-by-step calculation progress information. Solve problems with two or more mixed numbers fractions in one expression.

The result:

1/2 - 1/8 = 3/8 = 0.375

The result spelled out in words is three eighths.

Calculation steps

Subtract: 1/2 - 1/8 = 1 · 4/2 · 4 - 1/8 = 4/8 - 1/8 = 4 - 1/8 = 3/8
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(2, 8) = 8. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 2 × 8 = 16. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, one half minus one eighth equals three eighths.

What is a mixed number?

A mixed number is an integer and fraction

a \frac{b}{c}

whose value equals the sum of that integer and fraction. For example, we write two and four-fifths as

2 \frac{4}{5}

. Its value is

2 \frac{4}{5} = 2 + \frac{4}{5} = \frac{1 0}{5} + \frac{4}{5} = \frac{1 4}{5}

. The mixed number is the exception - the missing operand between a whole number and a fraction is not multiplication but an addition:

2 \frac{4}{5} \neq = 2 \cdot \frac{4}{5}

. A negative mixed number - the minus sign also applies to the fractional

- 2 \frac{4}{5} = - (2 \frac{4}{5}) = - (2 + \frac{4}{5}) = - \frac{1 4}{5}

. A mixed number is sometimes called a mixed fraction. Usually, a mixed number contains a natural number and a proper fraction, and its value is an improper fraction, that is, one where the numerator is greater than the denominator.

How do I imagine a mixed number?

We can imagine mixed numbers in the example of cakes. We have three cakes, and we have divided each into five parts. We thus obtained 3 * 5 = 15 pieces of cake. One piece when we ate, there were 14 pieces left, which is

2 \frac{4}{5}

of cake. When we eat two pieces,

2 \frac{3}{5}

of the cake remains.

See practise with mixed numbers »