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:

4 1/7 - 2 1/3 + 3/4 = 215/84 = 2 47/842.5595238

The spelled result in words is two hundred fifteen eighty-fourths (or two and forty-seven eighty-fourths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 4 1/7 to a improper fraction: 4 1/7 = 4 1/7 = 4 · 7 + 1/7 = 28 + 1/7 = 29/7

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 4 by the denominator 7. Whole number 4 equally 4 * 7/7 = 28/7
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 28 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 28 + 1 = 29
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 29) over the denominator 7.

    Four and one seventh is twenty-nine sevenths.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 2 1/3 to a improper fraction: 2 1/3 = 2 1/3 = 2 · 3 + 1/3 = 6 + 1/3 = 7/3

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 2 by the denominator 3. Whole number 2 equally 2 * 3/3 = 6/3
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 6 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 6 + 1 = 7
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 7) over the denominator 3.

    Two and one third is seven thirds.
  3. Subtract: 29/7 - 7/3 = 29 · 3/7 · 3 - 7 · 7/3 · 7 = 87/21 - 49/21 = 87 - 49/21 = 38/21
    It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal, identical) denominator for adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(7, 3) = 21. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 7 × 3 = 21. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words - twenty-nine sevenths minus seven thirds is thirty-eight twenty-firsts.
  4. Add: the result of step No. 3 + 3/4 = 38/21 + 3/4 = 38 · 4/21 · 4 + 3 · 21/4 · 21 = 152/84 + 63/84 = 152 + 63/84 = 215/84
    It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal, identical) denominator for adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(21, 4) = 84. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 21 × 4 = 84. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words - thirty-eight twenty-firsts plus three quarters is two hundred fifteen eighty-fourths.

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 of operations are:
PEMDAS - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
BEDMAS - Brackets, Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction
BODMAS - Brackets, Of or Order, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
GEMDAS - Grouping Symbols - brackets (){}, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
MDAS - Multiplication and Division have the same precedence over Addition and Subtraction. The MDAS rule is the order of operations part of the PEMDAS rule.
Be careful; always do multiplication and division before addition and subtraction. Some operators (+ and -) and (* and /) have the same priority and must be evaluated from left to right.


Last Modified: February 14, 2025