Fraction calculator



This fractions calculator performs all fraction operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and evaluates expressions with fractions. It also shows detailed step-by-step information.

The result:

1/3 * 3/5 * 2 1/4 = 9/20 = 0.45

The result spelled out in words is nine twentieths.

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Multiple: 1/3 * 3/5 = 1 · 3/3 · 5 = 3/15 = 1 · 3/5 · 3 = 1/5
    Multiply both numerators and denominators. Result fraction keep to lowest possible denominator GCD(3, 15) = 3. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 3 gives 1/5.
    In other words, one third multiplied by three fifths equals one fifth.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 2 1/4 to a improper fraction: 2 1/4 = 2 1/4 = 2 · 4 + 1/4 = 8 + 1/4 = 9/4

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 2 by the denominator 4. Whole number 2 equally 2 * 4/4 = 8/4
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 8 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 8 + 1 = 9
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 9) over the denominator 4.

    Two and one quarter is nine quarters.
  3. Multiple: the result of step No. 1 * 9/4 = 1/5 * 9/4 = 1 · 9/5 · 4 = 9/20
    Multiply both numerators and denominators. Result fraction keep to lowest possible denominator GCD(9, 20) = 1. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, one fifth multiplied by nine quarters equals nine twentieths.

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: April 4, 2025