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:

3 1/8 + 2 3/8 - 1 1/4 = 17/4 = 4 1/4 = 4.25

Spelled out: seventeen quarters (or four and one quarter).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

Conversion a mixed number 3 1/8 to a improper fraction: 3 1/8 = 3 1/8 = 3 · 8 + 1/8 = 24 + 1/8 = 25/8

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 3 by the denominator 8. Whole number 3 equally 3 * 8/8 = 24/8
b) Add the answer from the previous step 24 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 24 + 1 = 25
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 25) over the denominator 8.

Three and one eighth is twenty-five eighths.
Conversion a mixed number 2 3/8 to a improper fraction: 2 3/8 = 2 3/8 = 2 · 8 + 3/8 = 16 + 3/8 = 19/8

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 2 by the denominator 8. Whole number 2 equally 2 * 8/8 = 16/8
b) Add the answer from the previous step 16 to the numerator 3. New numerator is 16 + 3 = 19
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 19) over the denominator 8.

Two and three eighths is nineteen eighths.
Add: 25/8 + 19/8 = 25 + 19/8 = 44/8 = 4 · 11/4 · 2 = 11/2
Both fractions have the same denominator, which is then the common denominator in the adding them. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 4 gives 11/2.
In other words, twenty-five eighths plus nineteen eighths equals eleven halves.
Conversion a mixed number 1 1/4 to a improper fraction: 1 1/4 = 1 1/4 = 1 · 4 + 1/4 = 4 + 1/4 = 5/4

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 1 by the denominator 4. Whole number 1 equally 1 * 4/4 = 4/4
b) Add the answer from the previous step 4 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 4 + 1 = 5
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 5) over the denominator 4.

One and one quarter is five quarters.
Subtract: the result of step No. 3 - 5/4 = 11/2 - 5/4 = 11 · 2/2 · 2 - 5/4 = 22/4 - 5/4 = 22 - 5/4 = 17/4
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, 4) = 4. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 2 × 4 = 8. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, eleven halves minus five quarters equals seventeen quarters.

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)

Understanding 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.

Pro tip: MDAS is a simplified version focusing on the core concept: Multiplication and Division share the same priority level, as do Addition and Subtraction.