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:

15 6/25 - 11 5/10 = 187/50 = 3 37/50 = 3.74

The result spelled out in words is one hundred eighty-seven fiftieths (or three and thirty-seven fiftieths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 15 6/25 to a improper fraction: 15 6/25 = 15 6/25 = 15 · 25 + 6/25 = 375 + 6/25 = 381/25

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 15 by the denominator 25. Whole number 15 equally 15 * 25/25 = 375/25
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 375 to the numerator 6. New numerator is 375 + 6 = 381
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 381) over the denominator 25.

    Fifteen and six twenty-fifths is three hundred eighty-one twenty-fifths.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 11 5/10 to a improper fraction: 11 5/10 = 11 5/10 = 11 · 10 + 5/10 = 110 + 5/10 = 115/10

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 11 by the denominator 10. Whole number 11 equally 11 * 10/10 = 110/10
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 110 to the numerator 5. New numerator is 110 + 5 = 115
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 115) over the denominator 10.

    Eleven and five tenths is one hundred fifteen tenths.
  3. Subtract: 381/25 - 115/10 = 381 · 2/25 · 2 - 115 · 5/10 · 5 = 762/50 - 575/50 = 762 - 575/50 = 187/50
    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(25, 10) = 50. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 25 × 10 = 250. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, three hundred eighty-one twenty-fifths minus one hundred fifteen tenths equals one hundred eighty-seven fiftieths.

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


OpSymbol 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 16, 2025