Fraction calculator
This calculator subtracts two fractions. When fractions have the same denominators calculator simply subtracts the numerators and place the result over the common denominator. Then simplify the result to the lowest terms or a mixed number.
The result:
4/5 - 2/5 = 2/5 = 0.4
The result spelled out in words is two fifths.How do we solve fractions step by step?
- Subtract: 4/5 - 2/5 = 4 - 2/5 = 2/5
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 fifths minus two fifths equals two fifths.
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
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) |
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:
- A cake
A cake has 46 slices. Harry ate 16 slices, and Jack ate 26 slices, Dave ate 0 & Mary ate 1 slice. What fraction of the cake is remaining?
- The entity
What is the difference between seven-tenths of an entity and seven-fifteenths of the same entity? Please solve it for me.
- Saturday 5405
Of all Ferko's tasks, he worked out 1/8 on Friday and 3/8 on Saturday and Sunday. What part of the task did he have to work on Sunday?
- A craft
A craft store has a 9-yard spool of ribbon. In the morning, a customer buys 1/5 yd of ribbon. Another customer buys 7/10 yd of ribbon in the afternoon from the spool. How much ribbon is left?
- Subtract mixed 2
Subtract mixed numbers: 3 1/2 - 2 4/5 (3 and one half - 2 and four-fifths.) Remember you need to make these into improper fractions before subtracting.
- Three gifts
Jon had 20 dollars to spend on three gifts. He spent 9 9/10 dollars on gift A and 4 3/5 dollars on gift B. How much money did he have left for gift C?
- One-quarter 2484
Mom baked a bowl of cookies. The son took two-fifths of the cookies and the daughter one-quarter of the rest. What part was left to the parents?
more math problems »
Last Modified: June 23, 2025