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:
1 1/3 - 2/3 = 2/3 ≅ 0.6666667
The result spelled out in words is two thirds.How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Conversion a mixed number 1 1/3 to a improper fraction: 1 1/3 = 1 1/3 = 1 · 3 + 1/3 = 3 + 1/3 = 4/3
To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 1 by the denominator 3. Whole number 1 equally 1 * 3/3 = 3/3
b) Add the answer from the previous step 3 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 3 + 1 = 4
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 4) over the denominator 3.
One and one third is four thirds. - Subtract: 4/3 - 2/3 = 4 - 2/3 = 2/3
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, four thirds minus two thirds equals two thirds.
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
Op | 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:
- Anesa
Anesa ate 3/4 of her pizza, and Eman ate 1/4 of her pizza. Who ate the greater part of the pizza?
- Compare two fractions
Find which is the larger of the two fractions: 11/32, 7/24, by expressing the numbers as a) fractions with the same denominator, b) decimals.
- From least to greatest
Which set of rational numbers is arranged from least to greatest? A) -3.5, negative 1 over 4, 2, 1 over 3 B) -3.5, negative 1 over 4, 1 over 3, 2 C) 2, 1 over 3, negative 1 over 4, -3.5 D) negative 1 over 4, 1 over 3, 2, -3.5
more math problems »
Last Modified: April 16, 2025