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:

5 1/8 + 2 5/8 = 31/4 = 7 3/4 = 7.75

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

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 5 1/8 to a improper fraction: 5 1/8 = 5 1/8 = 5 · 8 + 1/8 = 40 + 1/8 = 41/8

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 5 by the denominator 8. Whole number 5 equally 5 * 8/8 = 40/8
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 40 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 40 + 1 = 41
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 41) over the denominator 8.

    Five and one eighth is forty-one eighths.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 2 5/8 to a improper fraction: 2 5/8 = 2 5/8 = 2 · 8 + 5/8 = 16 + 5/8 = 21/8

    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 5. New numerator is 16 + 5 = 21
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 21) over the denominator 8.

    Two and five eighths is twenty-one eighths.
  3. Add: 41/8 + 21/8 = 41 + 21/8 = 62/8 = 2 · 31/2 · 4 = 31/4
    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 2 gives 31/4.
    In other words, forty-one eighths plus twenty-one eighths equals thirty-one quarters.

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 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 11, 2025