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:

7 2/9 - 3 5/6/1000 = 129931/18000 = 7 3931/180007.2183889

The result spelled out in words is one hundred twenty-nine thousand nine hundred thirty-one over eighteen thousand (or seven and three thousand nine hundred thirty-one over eighteen thousand).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 3 5/6 to a improper fraction: 3 5/6 = 3 5/6 = 3 · 6 + 5/6 = 18 + 5/6 = 23/6

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 3 by the denominator 6. Whole number 3 equally 3 * 6/6 = 18/6
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 18 to the numerator 5. New numerator is 18 + 5 = 23
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 23) over the denominator 6.

    Three and five sixths is twenty-three sixths.
  2. Divide: 23/6 : 1000 = 23/6 · 1/1000 = 23 · 1/6 · 1000 = 23/6000
    The second operand is an integer. It is equivalent to the fraction 1000/1. Dividing two fractions is the same as multiplying the first fraction by the reciprocal value of the second fraction. The first sub-step is to find the reciprocal (reverse the numerator and denominator, reciprocal of 1000/1 is 1/1000) of the second fraction. Next, multiply the two numerators. Then, multiply the two denominators. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, twenty-three sixths divided by one thousand equals twenty-three over six thousand.
  3. Conversion a mixed number 7 2/9 to a improper fraction: 7 2/9 = 7 2/9 = 7 · 9 + 2/9 = 63 + 2/9 = 65/9

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 7 by the denominator 9. Whole number 7 equally 7 * 9/9 = 63/9
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 63 to the numerator 2. New numerator is 63 + 2 = 65
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 65) over the denominator 9.

    Seven and two ninths is sixty-five ninths.
  4. Subtract: 65/9 - the result of step No. 2 = 65/9 - 23/6000 = 65 · 2000/9 · 2000 - 23 · 3/6000 · 3 = 130000/18000 - 69/18000 = 130000 - 69/18000 = 129931/18000
    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(9, 6000) = 18000. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 9 × 6000 = 54000. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, sixty-five ninths minus twenty-three over six thousand equals one hundred twenty-nine thousand nine hundred thirty-one over eighteen thousand.

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 16, 2025